In recent years, it seems as though the NFL Draft classes have been loaded with wide receiver talent. The 2022 and 2024 classes, specifically, gave us players like Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Drake London, and others.
However, as of right now, the 2026 NFL Draft class doesn’t feel like it has those heavy hitters at the position. But despite not being top-heavy, there are still plenty of good wideouts who will be draft-eligible next year, and the class has a lot of depth. Here’s a look at five sleeper wide receivers to look out for in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Carnell Tate isn’t the biggest sleeper, but he’s not a guy receiving much first-round buzz. Tate is listed as the 10th-best wideout in the class on PSFN’s early WR rankings for the upcoming draft, but he could finish much higher than that.
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate is the epitome of smooth pic.twitter.com/2jU1H0yVtg
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) June 3, 2025
Tate stands at 6’3″ and weighs 191 pounds, giving him an ideal NFL frame. He has the hands, explosiveness, and body control to be an elite NFL prospect, but needs to become a more refined route runner and overall better separator.
With another year under the tutelage of Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and an increased role in the Buckeyes’ offense next season, there’s a good chance Tate will be in Day 1 talks come draft time.
Makai Lemon, USC
Makai Lemon is entering his junior season at USC with hopes of improving his draft stock in a big way. He didn’t make our top-10 receivers list, and is PFSN’s second-ranked USC receiver, but Lemon did finish his sophomore season with 52 catches for 764 yards.
At 5’11”, Lemon is not the biggest receiver in the class, but his fluidity and separation ability are up there with anyone. The most exciting thing about him is that, despite his size, he has elite body control at the catch point. Lemon’s ability to create after the catch is also something to be excited about.
Lemon projects to be a slot receiver at the NFL level, but there’s no doubt he’s highly skilled and someone who I expect to fly up draft boards as the year goes on.
Germie Bernard, Alabama
It’s doubtful that many fans outside of Tuscaloosa have heard the name Germie Bernard. The young wide receiver has a long college football journey, starting his career at Michigan State, then transferring to Washington, before finally joining Alabama in 2024.
Bernard is listed as the seventh-best receiver on our rankings, but the consensus on him is much lower than that at the moment. Bernard finished the 2024 season just shy of 800 yards, but was often overshadowed by Ryan Williams’ dominance.
Bernard is not your typical receiver prospect, but at 6’2″ and weighing 209 pounds, he’s the ultimate threat with the ball in his hands. He should be receiving the patented Deebo Samuel Sr. comps by the end of the season, and while he won’t be an NFL X receiver, the potential for Bernard to be an elite playmaker at the next level is there.
Chase Roberts, BYU
Chase Roberts has prototypical NFL size, standing at 6’4″ and weighing 210 pounds, and he just wrapped up his best season at BYU, catching 52 passes for 854 yards and four touchdowns.
Not only does Roberts have the size, but his hands and body control are great as well. He’s not an elite separator by any means, and lacks top-end athleticism, but is a very good possession receiver.
Roberts was an elite threat downfield for the Cougars last season and should be their No. 1 target in 2025. The athleticism concerns will prevent him from being talked about in first-round conversations, but there’s a real chance he ends up being a Day 2 selection.
Trebor Peña, Penn State
Trebor Peña was one of the most productive receivers in the country last year for the Syracuse Orange. He was quarterback Kyle McCord’s favorite target, leading the ACC with 84 catches last season, and racked up 941 yards and nine touchdowns in the process.
Peña will be a slot receiver in the NFL, as he’s only 6’0″. Yet, his separation quickness, YAC ability, and hands are all at the top end of college football receivers.
Peña transferred to Penn State, where he should be one of the top targets for Drew Allar in 2025. With another productive season, he should launch himself in discussions as one of the best slots in the 2026 class.
