byJohn Oehser&Bucky Brooks

JACKSONVILLEThere's quality at the top, and it continues down.

That doesn't make the wide receiver class in the 2026 NFL Draft good on a historical level. It does mean there are many good players at the position, and that's nothing new.

If you want production, it's there very deep in the draft.

Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State projects by many analysts as the No. 1 player in what is considered a versatile receiver draft class a class that may not feature a Top 5 player but one that many analysts believe could feature as many as six or seven first-round selections.

Reid called the receiver class though perhaps not as strong at the top as some recent receiver classes one of the deepest in the '26 NFL Draft along with edge rusher, linebacker and safety.

Tyson isn't necessarily a consensus choice at the top of the class, with Carnell Tate of Ohio State, KC Concepcion of Texas A&M and Makai Lemon of Southern California also often projected as Top 20 selections.

Receivers such as Omar Cooper Jr. of Indiana also are projected as first-round selections, with Denzel Boston of Washington also projected by many as a possible first-round selection.

"If we had to rate where those guys at the top would go in most drafts, 15 would be the starting point," Brooks said. "I can't say that when you look at this class, there's a slam-dunk Top 10 receiver. I would say that if you ask anybody, they're probably comfortable with those guys mid-to-late first round.

Four receivers were selected in Round 1 in 2025, with seven selected in what was considered a premium receiver draft in 2024. At least four receivers have been selected in Round 1 of every NFL Draft since 2019.

"It's a byproduct of guys throwing the ball all over the yad," Brooks said. "Wide receivers are well-developed because they have so many more reps now. It's also impacted running back. The better athletes are going to play wide receiver, because they can touch the ball. They can change the game in a different way. It has impacted everything.

HANDICAPPING THE JAGUARS

This at first glance appears to be a low early priority on draft weekend, with the Jaguars revamping the position throughout the 2025 season. What emerged by season's end was a balanced, versatile receiving corps that helped the Jaguars become of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Fourth-year veteranParker Washingtoncaught 58 passes for 847 yards with five touchdowns, with third-year veteranBrian Thomas Jr.catching 48 passes for 707 yards with two touchdowns and eight-year veteranJakobi Meyersin nine Jaguars games catching 42 passes for 483 yards with three touchdowns.Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, caught 28 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown while also playing extensively at cornerback. Possible draft-weekend storyline: Fourth or fifth receiver. With the Jaguars not re-signing veteran Tim Patrick, and with the extent of Hunter's offensive role unknown, the Jaguars could address this position anywhere in the draft with Rounds 3-5 seemingly likely.

CHANCE JAGUARS TAKE A WIDE RECEIVER ON DAYS 1-2 (ROUNDS 1-3)

Decent, particularly in Round 3.

WRs ON THE JAGUARS ROSTER

Parker Washington(Seven starts in 2025),Jakobi Meyers(seven),Brian Thomas Jr.(14),Travis Hunter(two),Chandler Brayboy,Tim Jones,Austin Trammell.

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 WIDE RECEIVERS

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND WIDE RECEIVERS

Tyson; Tate; Brazell; Fields; Boston; KC Concepcion, Jr., Texas A&M; Makai Lemon, Jr., Southern California; Omar Cooper Jr., Jr., Indiana.

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