How specific NFL teams are targeting wide receivers in the 2026 draft
Team WR Draft Targets & Fits
How NFL Teams Are Targeting Wide Receivers in the 2026 Draft: A Team-by-Team Breakdown
The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a showcase of athleticism, scheme fit, and explosiveness, driven heavily by combine performances and analytics. Teams are prioritizing speed, explosiveness, and versatility in their wide receiver (WR) targets, shifting away from traditional college production metrics. Here’s a detailed look at how some of the key NFL franchises are approaching their WR needs, along with prospects linked to each team as potential fits or early-round targets.
Team-by-Team WR Needs and Preferred Traits
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Needs & Traits: The Steelers are seeking speedy, mismatch-creating wideouts to complement their evolving offense. They particularly value athletic testing results—sub-4.4 40s, high verticals, and agility scores.
- Targeted Prospects: Daniel Jeremiah projects Washington’s Denzel Boston as a potential first-round pick, fitting their desire for explosive playmakers. In Round 2, players like Makai Lemon and Carnell Tate are viewed as ideal scheme-agnostic options who can stretch defenses and create mismatches.
New Orleans Saints
- Needs & Traits: The Saints aim to add versatile, explosive receivers capable of elevating their passing game. Recent evaluations highlight prospects with route versatility, contested catch ability, and speed.
- Targeted Prospects: The combine performances of Jeremiyah Love and Jordyn Tyson suggest they could be valuable additions. The team is also eyeing Michael Trigg, a tight end with high upside as a mismatch weapon, and Stanford’s Sam Roush, who offers route running and athleticism suited for flexible schemes.
Minnesota Vikings
- Needs & Traits: Emphasizing speed and physicality, the Vikings are looking for WRs who can contribute immediately as deep threats or slot options. Athletic testing results from prospects like Carnell Tate, K.C. Concepcion, and Makai Lemon align well with their scheme priorities.
- Targeted Prospects: The Vikings’ early draft plans indicate they will prioritize explosive athletes who can stretch the field and create mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
Los Angeles Rams
- Needs & Traits: The Rams seek versatile, explosive WRs who can thrive in their scheme, especially after recent roster changes. Athletic traits like vertical jump, agility, and speed are highly valued.
- Targeted Prospects: The combine buzz around Omar Cooper suggests he fits their mold as a scheme-flexible, high-upside receiver capable of making immediate impacts.
New York Giants
- Needs & Traits: The Giants are searching for dynamic offensive weapons that can operate across multiple positions, emphasizing athleticism and route versatility.
- Targeted Prospects: Reports have highlighted Elijah Sarratt from Indiana as a potential under-the-radar target, aligning with their desire for multi-dimensional receivers.
Cleveland Browns
- Needs & Traits: The Browns are focusing on athletic, YAC-heavy receivers who can break tackles and make plays after the catch. Combining athletic traits with speed and agility is key.
- Targeted Prospects: The combine has sparked buzz around explosive WR prospects, with teams seeing high upside in athletes who can develop into primary targets.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Needs & Traits: Under Klint Kubiak’s offensive philosophy, the Raiders are refining their approach toward speed, explosiveness, and scheme versatility. They are also exploring trades for top-tier quarterbacks and are interested in YAC-heavy receivers and athletic tight ends.
- Draft Strategy: The Raiders are monitoring prospects like Pavia, Mendoza, and Simpson, all of whom possess elite athletic traits. The combine data is guiding their decisions to target speedy, athletic playmakers capable of extending plays and creating mismatches.
Buffalo Bills
- Needs & Traits: The Bills are expected to prioritize a wide receiver who can become a reliable deep threat and operate as a mismatch in their offense.
- Draft Outlook: Mel Kiper Jr. suggests the Bills’ first-round pick will be a WR with significant athletic upside, emphasizing speed and explosiveness.
San Francisco 49ers
- Needs & Traits: The 49ers are exploring options to replace Deebo Samuel and bolster their receiver corps with athletic, scheme-appropriate talent.
- Targeted Prospects: The team could target multiple WRs with their first-round pick, especially those demonstrating fast 40 times, agility, and route versatility.
Washington Commanders
- Needs & Traits: The Commanders are actively interviewing top WR prospects at the combine, indicating a strong interest in explosive, scheme-flexible receivers who can contribute immediately.
- Targeted Prospects: Early buzz points to prospects who can line up both inside and outside, providing mismatches across the field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Needs & Traits: The Bucs are almost certain to focus on offensive skill players in the draft, especially speedy, athletic WRs who can develop into their No. 1 targets.
- Draft Strategy: Their recent meetings with top offensive prospects suggest they are zeroing in on athletic receivers with high verticals and agility scores to fit their scheme.
Key Prospects and Their Fits
- Makai Lemon (USC): An explosive athlete with a blazing 40 time and high vertical, Lemon is generating early Day 2 buzz. His speed and agility make him a scheme-agnostic weapon capable of immediate impact.
- Carnell Tate & Omar Cooper: Both prospects showcase high athletic traits, with Cooper drawing attention from teams like the Rams for his versatility and explosiveness.
- K.C. Concepcion: Known for his speed and route agility, he fits teams seeking deep threat capabilities.
- Michael Trigg (Baylor): A tight end with high upside, especially as a mismatch weapon in passing schemes, with athletic traits that stand out.
- Sam Roush (Stanford): Offers route precision, reliable hands, and athleticism, fitting schemes that require flexible, scheme-versatile tight ends and WRs.
Combine's Impact on Draft Valuations
Combine performances have significantly shifted draft boards, elevating prospects with exceptional athletic traits. Teams are placing greater emphasis on traits like speed, vertical jump, and agility—often over college production. This trend benefits small-school athletes and sleepers, who can now rise rapidly with impressive testing results.
Outlook
As the combine continues to influence team evaluations, draft-day surprises and movements are expected. The league’s trait-driven approach means explosive, scheme-flexible WRs and tight ends will dominate early selections. Teams like the Raiders, Steelers, and Vikings are actively seeking athletic playmakers who can immediately transform their offenses.
In summary, the 2026 NFL Draft is poised to be a showcase of athletic upside and scheme fit, with speed and explosiveness as the new currency. The emphasis on combine results and analytics will shape draft hierarchies, with dynamic, versatile offensive weapons becoming the top targets for teams aiming to build fast, unpredictable offenses for the seasons ahead.