2026 Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings Pt. II | Nos. 7 – 12

by John Laub · Featured
2026 wide receiver draft rookies

Researching, ranking, and featuring the second installment of rookie wide receiver prospects in the draft has been my favorite endeavour this spring. The 2026 position group is deep, and combing through the rookies and identifying value for dynasty drafts will be imperative to refilling rosters with fantasy-productive players. The rankings are based on a thorough analysis of performance metrics, athletic traits, and game film to ensure an insightful evaluation, including their college resumes, film breakdowns, and skills. Enjoy, my fellow football fanatics.

View my other 2026 positional Top Six rankings: Wide Receivers | Running Backs I | Tight Ends | Quarterbacks

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2026 Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings II:
Scouting the Pass-Catchers, Nos. 7 – 12

7. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Prospect Resume

Since last summer, no receiver in the country has risen up Draft rankings more than Omar Cooper Jr. In September against Indiana State, he first flashed by snagging 10 passes for 207 yards and four scores. I featured Cooper in my College Fantasy Football (CFF) waiver wire column after his breakout performance and acquired him on three CFF teams. By mid-October, I began contemplating him as a prospect and started scouting Cooper. Now, he ranks among the top receivers in the Class of 2026.

In high school, Cooper was rated as a four-star prospect and ranked as the No. 22 wide receiver nationally. earned all-state honors twice in Indiana and finished his high school career with 132 catches for 2,856 yards and 22 touchdowns. Afterwards, he enrolled at Indiana, redshirting in 2022. In 2024, the Indianapolis native played in all 12 games, catching 28 passes for 594 yards and seven touchdowns, with 24 first downs. In 2025, he improved to 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, including a 75-yard rushing score in Week 2. He was named to the All-America Second Team by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and All-Big 10 Second Team, highlighted by a toe-tapping, game-winning catch in the back of the end zone versus Penn State that marked the Hoosiers’ 10th win of the season.

Film Breakdown and Skills

After an eye-opening campaign for the National Champions, Omar Cooper, standing 6’0″ and weighing 199 pounds, is a crafty route runner with excellent tackle-breaking ability. He is an astounding YAC runner. With stupendous body control, he easily contorts his body to make catches. Fearless, he wins in traffic, foresees contact, and explodes upfield. He is wiggly with the ball in his hands and a fluid mover with fancy footwork and exceptional quickness in the short game. Smoothly plucking the ball away from his body, Cooper has reliable hands and good mental concentration upon contact. He has a diverse route tree on his resume over the past two seasons and excels on the boundary with tenacity and determination. 

Despite the dramatic improvement in 2025, there are red flags in the WR model and weaknesses in his skill set. Cooper was primarily employed in the slot (over 80% of snaps) during his breakout season and earned many targets close to the line of scrimmage—9.7 aDOT and 2.31 RYPTPA are both red flags. He has limited vertical ability on tape and is still developing as a route runner; he rounds off his routes and needs to refine his technique. A late bloomer in his fourth season on campus, he must improve against press coverage. He might be limited to a slot role at the next level. The Cooper hype-train rolls down the tracks, and many Dynasty managers are overlooking obvious holes in his prospect profile.

Scholar’s Grade: B+

8. Skyler Bell, UConn

Prospect Resume

In the interest of full disclosure, I had a front row seat as a UConn season-ticker holder over the past two seasons to analyze Skyler Bell. I had the former Husky among my Top 12 receivers in the Class of 2026 until I saw him at the combine, after which I moved him higher in my rankings. In the 40-yard dash, he posted a 4.40 seconds, which is the 91st percentile among WRs. He also excelled in both the vertical and broad jumps, posting a 136.2 Burst Score, which is 98th percentile. Combining all of the drills, Bell scored a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.65, finishing 137th out of 3,926 WR receiver prospects all-time. His athleticism clearly indicates he has the tools to make an impact at the next level.

In 2025, Bell finished among the Top 5 in the FBS in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,278), and receiving touchdowns (13). He was named a consensus All-American First Team, an All-American Second Team (Walter Camp), and a Biletnikoff Finalist. After the season, he was invited to both the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game. In 2024, the former Husky notched 50 catches for 860 yards and five touchdowns during his first season at Storrs. Beforehand, he played three seasons at Wisconsin and redshirted in 2021. As a Badger, he caught 69 passes for 755 yards and six scores. In high school, he was a three-star prospect, and Bell’s senior year was cancelled due to COVID. Dynasty players and Draftniks are slowly coming around on Bell as a Day 2 prospect in the draft, which should excite fans and analysts alike. 

Film Breakdown and Skills

The Huskies employed Bell, a versatile receiver, all over the field, lining him up on the outside (61%) and in the slot (37%). At 6’0″ and 192 pounds, he is a fluid mover with good redirection ability. He has fantastic footwork and immediate acceleration, allowing him to present a target for the quarterback in a flash. With huge hands, he easily secures the ball and transitions instantly from catcher to runner, turning upfield right away. He is quick in short spaces and makes defenders miss after the catch. Employing impressive tempo and change of speed, Bell stacks corners vertically and separates in open space. He also has impressive body control and excels after the catch.

Before 2025, Bell had a high drop rate, but he significantly improved it this year. At times, he struggles to win positioning outside the hashmarks—does not profile as an X-receiver. He can be jammed on his release and needs to improve his play strength. The Biletnikoff finalist projects as an inside and Z-receiver, providing the offense with needed versatility. At his current ADP, the former UConn playmaker will be on the vast majority of my Dynasty rosters.

Scholar’s Grade: B

9. Chris Brazzell, Tennessee

Prospect Resume

Since coach Josh Heupel took over the Volunteers’ program in 2021, I have scouted a plethora of Tennessee receivers—Dont’e Thornton, Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman, Josh Palmer, Velus Jones—and regrettably, none have matched their college production as professionals. The top Volunteers’ receiver whom I scouted is Jauan Jennings, and he left the team before Huepel came to Rocky Top.

Therefore, I am skeptical of Chris Brazzell coming out of Huepel’s “veer-and-shoot” scheme, which isolates receivers in space and asks each to run a limited route tree. Brazzell is no different when watching him run predominantly three routes: go, slant, and curl on the boundary. Last year, he started all 12 games but did not play in the Military Bowl. He caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 16.4 ypc. A home run hitter, he recorded six catches over 30 yards and four receptions of over 50 yards. A semifinalist for the Biletnikoff and Earl Campbell Awards, Brazzell was the SEC’s leading receiver (84.8 ypg) and was named to the All-SEC First Team. He also received All-America Third Team (AP).

In high school, Brazzell was graded as a three-star recruit and rated as a Top 250 prospect in the state of Texas, finishing with 104 receptions for 1,596 receiving yards and 21 scores. He enrolled at Tulane in 2022 and only played in two games before redshirting. In 2023, he exploded for 44 catches for 711 yards and five touchdowns, while averaging 16.2 ypc. He earned Freshman All-American honors and All-AAC Third Team before entering the portal and moving up in competition to the SEC in 2024.

Film Breakdown and Skills

At the combine, Brazzell displayed elite speed, recording a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash and 1.52 10-yard split at 6’4″ and 198 pounds. On PlayerProfiler, his 113.0 Speed Score ranks in the 95th percentile of wide receiver prospects. With his speed and quick feet, he instantly gets on top of corners and stacks them with his long speed. Tall and “leggy” in frame, he excels at tracking the ball on vertical routes and wins at the high point on contested catches. Great mental concentration, Brazzell wins in traffic, and consistently defeats corners with body control and leverage. Making difficult catches look easy with big hands, a large catch radius, and long arms, he is a red-zone weapon. He has very good hip movement for a big receiver and identifies soft spots in zone coverages.

Can the former Volunteer continue to develop as a technician at the position? He ran a limited route tree in the veer-and-shoot offense and has an unrefined technique. Lean and lanky, press coverage by physical defensive backs will be a challenge in the NFL. He endured a shoulder injury as a freshman at Tulane and a lower-leg injury during last training camp. Lacks elite–level lateral agility, and at times, appears slow in-and-out of breaks. Off the line of scrimmage, he needs to eliminate inefficient movement and footwork. Despite the enticing speed and size, I have my reservations regarding Brazell’s long-term Dynasty value. I am unlikely to take the risk on drafting the speedster unless he falls to a point in drafts at which I cannot pass him up.

Scholar’s Grade: B

10. Ted Hurst, Georgia State

Prospect Resume

It is a good sign when a G5 prospect earns a Senior Bowl invite. In Mobile, AL, Ted Hurst opened the eyes of some scouts and onlookers with his practice performances. At the combine, the former Georgia State star darted the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds and recorded impressive Broad (11’3″) and Vertical (36.5″) jumps. On PlayerProfiler, he posted a Speed Score in the 95th percentile and a Burst Score in the 85th percentile. At 6’4″ and 206 pounds, Hurst has the athleticism to transition from G5 to the NFL. In 2022, Hurst joined Valdosta State (a Division II program in Georgia) and logged 22 catches for 431 yards and six touchdowns. The following season as a sophomore, he finished the campaign as the Blazers’ third-leading receiver with 38 receptions for 596 yards and four scores. 

After the campaign concluded, he bet on himself and moved up in competition to Georgia State in the FBS. In 2024, he earned All-Sun Belt Second Team and was the Panthers’ leading receiver with 54 catches for 961 yards and nine touchdowns, a school record. Against Vanderbilt, he scored two touchdowns against SEC defenders. Over the past summer, Hurst became the first Panthers player to be named to Bruce Feldman’s College Freaks List. Last year, he was named All-Sun Belt First Team after snagging 71 passes for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns. In the classroom, he earned a spot on the Sun Belt Conference honor roll in the past two seasons. 

Film Breakdown and Skills

At the professional level, Hurst profiles as a classic X-receiver. His long arms and massive wingspan give him an edge in one-on-one battles. He shows mastery of the boundary and an impressive release package, allowing him to escape the line of scrimmage with quality releases and agile footwork. As a comeback route runner, he stands out due to his quick stop-and-turn moves, enabling him to separate effectively on in-breaking routes.

He also demonstrates toughness after the catch. Hurst runs precise routes and has a knack for high-pointing the ball, showcasing reliable hands. His vertical ability is noteworthy; he accelerates effortlessly on deep routes, tracks the ball well, and adjusts as needed. Additionally, he is adept at navigating through traffic, recognizing zones, and settling in open spaces.

Notwithstanding his long speed, Hurst is limited in quickness and change-of-direction skills. Lean build and frame, he can be rerouted by physical corners. At times, he is slow to accelerate and needs to improve in press coverage. Hurst is also inconsistent in stacking corners on vertical routes. He needs to be more focused on technique and improve his tool bag of moves to gain separation. In the past dynasty draft, I embraced risk while drafting Nico Collins, Jauan Jennings, Gabe Davis, and DJ Chark, who profiled as X-receivers selected after the top 50 picks in the NFL draft. At the current rookie ADP, Hurst will land on many of my teams this year.

Scholar’s Grade: B-

11. Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Prospect Resume

North Dakota State is the best FCS program over the past decade, with five National Championships, and, if you’re a college football junkie like me, the Bisons are a great team to watch in December during the FCS playoffs. Wide receiver Christian Watson attended NDSU and was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft. Bryce Lance is very similar to the current Packers’ playmaker and has earned a second-round grade in my analysis.

In February, Lance displayed high-level athleticism at the combine that moved him up in my rankings. He produced a 9.94 RAS, which is 23rd all-time among receivers since 1987. On PlayerProfiler, he ranks in the 98th percentile in Speed and Burst Scores for receivers. He has the raw athleticism to compete against NFL athletes.

On the field, Lance recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, becoming the first player in school history to achieve the feat. In 2025, he snatched 51 passes for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 21.2 ypc. He was a Walter Payton Award Finalist, an FCS All-America First Team member, and an All-MVC First Team member. In  2024, Lance made 75 catches for 1,071 yards and 17 scores, averaging 14.3 ypc. His 17 touchdowns were a school record, and he exceeded 100 receiving yards four times. He was named to the All-MVC First Team and the FCS Academic All-Star Team—he leaves school with both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree. He is the brother ot quarterback Trey Lance, who was selected by the 49ers with the third pick in the 2021 Draft.

Film Breakdown and Skills

In highlight videos, Lance always seems to be scoring touchdowns, which correlates with his incredible TD Rate of nearly 20% with 25 TDs on 126 catches over the past two seasons. At 6’3″ and 204 pounds, he trounces defensive backs downfield and excels on the boundary with stupendous ball skills. A naturally fluid athlete, he accelerates well off the snap and is quick in short space, sinking hips and changing directions. Winning in traffic with mental concentration, Lance easily flips hips and boxes out defenders. He promptly attacks corners vertically and creates space downfield. With magnificent radar on deep throws, he adjusts well late in the route and secures the pass with physical and reliable hands, recording only two drops on 99 targets last year. At the top of the stem, he employs very good footwork and strength. 

Can Lance compete every down against bigger, stronger, and faster defensive backs in the NFL? A fifth-year senior, he struggles to break jams and is erratic with technique. He ran a limited route tree on tape and must diversify it as a professional. At times, he is a body catcher, allowing the pigskin to reach his frame. When blocking in the run game, he needs to maintain more effort and determination. Lance has the traits, skills, and athleticism of an X-receiver, but needs time to refine and develop professionally. His fantasy ceiling is very high if he lands in the right scheme with a patient organization.

Scholar’s Grade: B-

12. Antonio Williams, Clemson

Prospect Resume

Once upon a time, Clemson competed with LSU, Ohio State, and Alabama for the title of Wide Receiver U, a moniker for elite status in college football. I fondly recall scouting Sammy Watkins. DeAndre Hopkins and Tee Higgins over the past 13 years. Unfortunately, the Tigers have stumbled and no longer rank among the nation’s premier programs, producing and nurturing talent at receiver. Regardless, Antonio Williams is the best Clemson receiver to enter the league in years.

In high school, Williams was a 4-star recruit, the No. 61-ranked player and No 6-ranked WR in the country. Losing only once in his high school career, he helped Dutch Fork reach the state championship game in 2021 while leading the team to a 12-1 mark. He recorded 137 career catches for 2,458 yards and 23 touchdowns and was selected to the Under Armour All-America Game. In 2022, as a true Freshman, he became a starter in 10 of 14 games and led the team in receiving with 56 catches for 604 yards and four scores. He garnered Freshman All-American First Team. As a sophomore, he played in only five games due to a lingering toe injury, redshirting the campaign. 

In 2024, he returned to the gridiron and recorded his best season, establishing career highs with 75 receptions for 904 yards and 11 scores, and was named All-ACC First Team. He tallied a receiving, rushing, and passing touchdown for the Tigers. Last season, he posted 55 catches for 604 yards and four touchdowns and was named All-ACC Third Team. A multifaceted player throughout his career, Williams totaled 25 carries for 187 rushing yards and two touchdowns and returned 43 punts for 351 yards, averaging 9.0 ypr. He finished his career as the fifth player in Clemson history with 200 catches.

Film Breakdown and Skills

A productive four-year competitor, Williams is a crafty route runner with twitchy movement skills and a polished pass catcher. He uses subtle fakes and tempo shifts to defeat defenders. Speedy off the snap with an impressive release package, Williams excels in the middle of the field and turns short passes into big gains. With very good wiggle, elusiveness, and footwork, he excels in a phone booth. Williams is comfortable in traffic, adjusts well to off-target balls, and concentrates through contact, holding onto the ball. He is a versatile receiver who lines up all over the formation and displays reliable hands at all three levels of the field. The outlook for the former tiger is a good one; he’ll be an immediate contributor on special teams on the first day of training camp.

At 5’11” and 187, Williams has a light frame and short arms. Lacking prototypical size, he might be destined for an inside/slot receiver. He missed 10 games during his career due to lower-leg injuries. A little stiff of a receiver, he will do most of his damage before the catch. He did not see much press coverage at Clemson and does not possess a second gear downfield. With about a month left before the Draft, Williams is one of the underrated receivers and a value at current rookie ADP in Dynasty leagues. If he lands with a quality passer and good organization, I will be glad to scoop up the value.

Scholar’s Grade: B-

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