In any NFL Draft class, it’s always fun to try to predict which sleeper prospects could take the league by storm.
Over the last few years, players like Puka Nacua, Brock Purdy, Kyren Williams, and Amon-Ra St. Brown have gone from Day 3 draft picks into Pro Bowlers. Last year, four receivers drafted after Round 3 surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. Legends like Cris Carter, Steve Largent, Andre Reed, Tyreek Hill, and Antonio Brown all got selected on Day 3.
Heading into the 2025 college football season, certain wide receivers have established themselves as top players at their position. Which weapons are flying under the radar as 2026 NFL Draft prospects, though?
Let’s break down six sleeper wide receiver prospects for next year’s draft.
Sleeper WRs in the 2026 NFL Draft
Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
Arguably, the most underrated transfer portal wide receiver snag from this offseason was Kevin Coleman Jr. heading to Missouri after a breakout campaign at Mississippi State in 2024.
Coleman is undersized at 5’11” and 180 pounds, which could provide durability concerns in the pros. However, he’s an athletic receiver who can stretch the field and also has tremendous ball-tracking skills in the air. He’s a sure-handed receiver with a career drop rate of just 3.6%, too. Keep an eye on him as a sleeper in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jaden Greathouse, Notre Dame
An analytical darling coming out of the slot, Jaden Greathouse exploded onto the scene with a stellar campaign in Notre Dame’s postseason run. He caught 79.2% of targets thrown his way, and he secured 11 of his 13 contested targets.
Greathouse is a thickly built weapon at 6’1″ and 215 pounds. He uses that frame well, as he’s physical at the catch point and does a great job of keeping focus and adjusting to the ball in the air. He’s deceptive in his release package and has the versatility to win outside or in the slot.
Much of Greathouse’s candidacy as a 2026 NFL Draft prospect comes from the final two games of his sophomore year. Those were his only 100-yard games, not having reached 70 yards in any games during the regular season. If Greathouse can build off his productive postseason, he’ll be a strong breakout candidate.
Eugene Wilson III, Florida
In four games last year, Wilson had 19 catches for 299 yards. He finished 2023 as a first-team All-SEC Freshman, as well. He’s fast off the snap and shifty after the catch, making him a difficult opponent for defensive backs. On 97 targets during his time at Florida, he hasn’t dropped a single pass.
Because of his injury, Wilson didn’t get to build much from his freshman campaign. He’s undersized at 5’10” and 183 pounds, but if teams use him correctly, that size weakness can be negated. With DJ Lagway as Florida’s starting quarterback, the sky’s the limit for what Wilson could do in 2025.
Florida WR Eugene Wilson III Since 2023:
🐊 97 Targets
🐊 Zero Drops@GatorsFB pic.twitter.com/aUn3z3ZqmL— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 15, 2025
Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
If you wondered if Bryce Lance is the younger brother of quarterback Trey Lance, the current backup for the Los Angeles Chargers and former North Dakota State star, you’re correct. He’s not just a famous name, though; he’s a serious talent.
The younger Lance broke out in 2024 with 75 catches for 1,069 yards and 17 touchdowns with just a 2.6% drop rate. He’s raw as a route runner and will carry profile concerns as a small-school prospect, which could hurt his draft stock a bit.
However, he’s a big receiver at 6’3″ and 204 pounds with an ideal combination of size, strength, and speed. His enormous upside makes him a player worth taking a shot on developing. He enters this year as one of the top small-school prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
JoJo Earle, UNLV
JoJo Earle’s best season was at TCU in 2023, when he finished with just 16 catches for 239 yards. He’s never had more than two touchdowns in a single season. Additionally, he’s a small receiver at 5’10” and 176 pounds who enters Year 5 of his collegiate career without a substantial year of serious production.
Despite these concerns, Earle is a notable prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft due to his elite athleticism. His explosion off the snap is impressive, and he has the deep speed to take the top off the defense. His agility after the catch is superb, giving him upside on manufactured offensive touches. Now at UNLV, he should have more chances to show that off.
Jalen Walthall, Incarnate Word
Jalen Walthall finished third in the FCS with 1,290 receiving yards last year, which is the most of all returning players heading into 2025. He’s proven that he’s more than just a famous touchdown celebration.
Jalen Walthall:
10/10 TD catch
11/10 celly 🎳 pic.twitter.com/hH32vI04tH
— Forever First Foundation (@Forever1stCards) November 2, 2024
A 6’2″ receiver coming off a tremendous 2024, Walthall has a large catch radius and excellent ball skills. He demonstrates NFL-caliber speed for the wide receiver position, and his physicality at the catch point is encouraging. If he can develop the depth of his route tree, he could generate Day 3 looks for the 2026 NFL Draft.
