Run Of Tackles Possible In Draft; WRs Could Move Slower
In the NFL draft, so many factors contribute to the decisions each team makes. It obviously starts with an examination of a team’s roster and depth chart, looking not only at the current makeup but also at future contracts set to expire. After evaluating the draft’s prospects, the team will begin to get a picture of what might be available to them when their pick comes around, and that picture improves as they look at the teams in front and around them, predicting the needs those teams will have and their potential to go off script.
All of that is done pre-draft and will continue to be done as rumors go through the media circuit with nuggets of information and as interviews and workouts with players alter draft boards. Even on the day of the draft, all of that preparation can be for naught if a surprising trade occurs or if a couple of surprise picks lead teams to start picking some players earlier than they had planned.
To that point, a recent info dump from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero revealed that the 2026 NFL Draft could potentially feature a surprise run on offensive tackles. At the same time, there’s belief that only two wide receivers will go in the top 15 picks.
In this year’s draft, several teams have been doing their homework on players at both positions, and with only one first-round pick in most cases, many are having to decide between the two. At wide receiver, if it can be determined that two players will go in that range of picks, it’s likely because there are two clear prospects getting linked to teams in that range. One is going to be Carnell Tate out of Ohio State, who has started to distance himself as the WR1 of this class. For a while, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson was in competition with Tate for that top spot, but his injury history has lowered his draft stock with some teams to the point that he may have even fallen to WR3 at this point behind USC’s Makai Lemon.
Because there only seems to be two, maybe three, options included in this top tier of wide receivers prospects, a team needing a wide receiver in the top 10 picks may have an inclination to jump at the opportunity to take one of the limited elite options so as not to miss out, relying on the depth at tackle to provide them with a decent option later on. This strategy changes when considering the possibility that a run of tackles could take place. If it starts to look as if a starting caliber rookie lineman may not be available the next time that team gets a chance to pick, they may opt to add on one of the options at the top of the run of tackles, relying on the delayed selection of receivers to provide them with some better options at that position for their next pick.
Beyond Tate, Lemon, and Tyson, there are maybe five other wideouts expected to be second-rounders at worst. It would be surprising to find Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Washington’s Denzel Boston, Alabama’s Germie Bernard, and Louisville’s Chris Bell in the third round. If only two of those eight players are going in the first 15 picks, a team passing up on a receiver in the first round would only need to hope that at least one of those remaining six make it 17 more picks into the second round then a few more back to their first pick of Day 2.
The numbers are similar for offensive tackles expected to be gone by the end of the second round. Utah’s Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, Clemson’s Blake Miller, and Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor are all expected to be unavailable by the third round of the draft. Even without the news of a run at the position, projections had some combination of Fano, Mauigoa, and Freeling hearing their names within the top 10 or 12 picks.
Those projections are based on teams currently slotted into those draft positions, but rumors seem to indicate that several teams may be aggressive in the first round this year, attempting to trade up to ensure they can land certain players. If this begins to happen, offensive tackles could come off the board even quicker. Currently, in the litany of mock drafts, several see as many as five tackles coming off the board in the first round, but there are quite a few that see all seven names getting selected inside the first 32 picks.
The possibility of a run like that could certainly change how some teams are approaching the first round. Taking a receiver early may mean a team misses out on the top seven tackles altogether, but if a team takes an offensive tackle early, there’s a chance several of the remaining six receivers available in the second half of the first round make it to them in the second round.
This is also assuming that this draft rumor is accurate and not a smokescreen being deployed by a team hoping a top wide receiver somehow falls to them in the wake of the offensive tackle frenzy. It’s a contingency for which teams in that range may want to plan. That way, they’ll be prepared when the moment comes, though they may just have to scramble as new surprises alter other strategies they didn’t plan for. Teams now have 12 days to finish coming up with their draft plans, which are sure to get torn up once the phones start ringing.
NFL Announces 16 Prospects Attending NFL Draft
There will be 16 players waiting in the green room when the NFL Draft kicks off later this month. The NFL announced the following attendees for the first night of the draft (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport):
- LB David Bailey, Texas Tech
- DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
- DB Mansoor Delane, LSU
- DB Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- DB Colton Hood, Tennessee
- WR Makai Lemon, USC
- RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
- OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
- DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
- QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Of the 16 prospects invited to Day 1 of the draft, a whopping five of them are from one school: Ohio State. For comparison’s sake, the leader during last year’s draft was Alabama, who sent three prospects ot the green room. The Big Ten is the leading conference, with six prospects attending the first night of the draft.
Notably, expected first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza won’t be attending the draft, as the Indiana quarterback revealed that he’ll instead be celebrating with friends and family in Atlanta. That only leaves one signal-caller attending the event in Alabama’s Ty Simpson. There’s no guarantee that Simpson will even be selected on the first night of the draft, a situation we saw most recently when green-room attendee Jalen Milroe fell to the third round last year.
Makai Lemon Sets Up Four More Visits
As one of the best wide receivers in this year’s draft class, USC’s Makai Lemon has a chance to come off the board in the top half of the first round. Several teams with high picks have met or will meet with Lemon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. In addition to the previously reported Titans (No. 4), Commanders (seventh) and Saints (eighth), the Jets (second and 16th), Giants (fifth), Chiefs (ninth) and Dolphins (11th and 30th) are on the list.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon lined up in the slot over 75% of the time during his three-year run in college. He got off to a quiet start with the Trojans in 2023, quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last season at the helm. Lemon caught just six passes in nine games, but he made significant progress in his final two seasons at USC.
After hauling in 52 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games in 2024, those numbers soared to 79-1,156-six in a dozen contests last year. Lemon earned the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in college football, and finished his USC tenure with just four drops in 33 games.
Whether Lemon is the best receiver in this year’s class is up for debate, especially with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate in the mix. But Lemon at least appears to be a surefire first-rounder. In ranking Lemon as the No. 12 prospect available, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com writes that comparisons to Lions superstar and fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown are “warranted.” Considering St. Brown has amassed a record 547 receptions in his first five seasons, that’s lofty praise.
Expecting a St. Brown-like impact may be unrealistic, but Lemon should provide an upgrade to his next team’s receiving corps. He is probably not a candidate for the Jets at No. 2 overall, but if Lemon is still on the board for their second pick, they could grab him as a much-needed Garrett Wilson complement. In heading to the Giants, Lemon would replace departed slot target Wan’Dale Robinson and partner with No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers.
We learned Friday that Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will not face a suspension for domestic violence allegations, but off-field issues and injuries have held him out of 23 games in his three-year career. Rice also has just one year left on his rookie contract. Regardless of whether he is part of the Chiefs’ long-term plans, their receiving corps could stand to improve around Rice and 2024 first-rounder Xavier Worthy.
Meanwhile, having traded Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, the Dolphins clearly have the least talented cast of receivers in this bunch. Adding Lemon would give newly signed starting quarterback Malik Willis a second exciting weapon to pair with running back De’Von Achane.
USC WR Makai Lemon Working Out With Saints, Commanders, Titans
While Makai Lemon has to fend off a handful of wide receiver prospects, he’s still under consideration to be selected in the top-10. The USC wideout met with the Saints today after previously working out for the Commanders, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The reporter adds that the Titans are also on the docket for Lemon. The Browns reportedly worked out the WR earlier this month.
Following a strong 2024 season that put him on the NFL radar, Lemon established himself as a definitive first-round WR in 2025. The USC standout finished the year with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him a unanimous All-American nod and the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is handed out annually to the best college receiver.
Measuring at 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, Lemon doesn’t have the typical size of an elite wide receiver. Still, scouts have lauded the prospects catching ability and run-after-catch skills, and he’s definitively in the top tier of WR options in the upcoming draft. The rest of that grouping includes Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, with Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion trending towards late-first-round selections.
Each of those potential suitors could offer Lemon an immediate role in their offense. The Saints got a bounce-back showing from Chris Olave in 2025, but the team lacks a dynamic playmaker opposite their WR1, with Devaughn Vele and Mason Tipton currently representing the best ancillary targets for Tyler Shough. Armed with the No. 8 pick, the Saints may be one of the most realistic landing spots for Lemon, especially if Tate and Tyson are already off the board.
It’s a similar story in Washington, with Deebo Samuel currently unsigned. Terry McLaurin is attached to a lucrative contract, but the team is lacking intrigue from their other options. Van JeffersonandDyami Brown have been added to a depth chart that also features Treylon Burks and Luke McCaffrey, and the Commanders (picking at No. 7) may be intrigued by the opportunity to pair Jayden Daniels with another high-skilled WR.
The Titans (No. 4) may not be as desparate for a WR, although no one would blame the organization from trying to surround Cam Ward with as much talent as possible. The organization got solid contributions from fourth-round rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike in 2025, and that duo will join Calvin Ridley and free agent acquisition Wan’Dale Robinson atop the depth chart in 2026.
Browns Making WR A Potential First-Round Focus
The Browns aren’t doing much to hide one of their main focuses for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported yesterday that the team has hosted several wide receivers for top 30 visits in the past few days.
Cleveland hasn’t lost much in its receiving corps to free agency and, just this week, added former Ravens return specialist Tylan Wallace to the room. The Browns are set to return Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, and Cedric Tillman to a passing attack that finished second-to-last in the NFL last year on the arms of three competing quarterbacks. Though things may still change, this year’s group isn’t expected to be dealing with as much uncertainty, with the expectation being that second-year passer Shedeur Sanders will compete with a recovering Deshaun Watson for QB1 honors.
Given the sheer number of returning bodies at the position, Cleveland likely isn’t aiming to build depth. Based on their early reported visits, the aim appears to be adding a starting-caliber receiver that can complement the playmakers currently in the building. We saw yesterday their plans to host Washington wideout Denzel Boston days after bringing in Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate (as well as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson). Considering those three pass catchers are three of NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah’s top five receivers, a first-round wideout could easily be in the Browns’ immediate future.
Those three aren’t alone in competition for Cleveland’s favor, though. Per Cabot, USC’s Makai Lemon, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Alabama’s Germie Bernard, and Louisville’s Chris Bell have all been subjects of the Browns’ pre-draft homework. The team has hosted all of them at some point in the past few days, as well as Miami (FL) offensive tackle Markel Bell, Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas, and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
It doesn’t seem the Browns are looking for any one particular attribute in a potential first-round receiver. The prospects they’ve looked at thus far range in body size, speed, and abilities. Some excel at making contested catches, while others specialize in yards after catch, and others still make route-running an art. Whether they’re looking for an upgrade in the slot, a big-bodied red-zone target, or someone to take the top off the defense, they appear to have no shortage of options or interests.
NFL Scouting Combine Rumors: Reese, McCoy, Giants, Proctor
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is widely seen as a consensus top 5 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, but top five picks don’t usually go to off-ball linebackers. Reese is just the latest in a line of prospects in recent years who made a name for themselves as linebackers in college before ultimately becoming pass rushers in the NFL. He confirmed as much at the NFL Scouting Combine, telling reporters that he would participate in drills for both off-ball linebackers and edge rushers in Indianapolis (per Dane Brugler of The Athletic) but prefers to play outside linebacker and rush the passer (per ESPN’s Turron Davenport).
As a true freshman for the Buckeyes in 2023, concussions and a depth chart that included players like Cody Simon and Tommy Eichenberg relegated Reese to eight games-worth of special teams duties. When he finally got opportunities on defense as a sophomore, Reese held a role solely as LB3, with only six snaps coming up close to the line as an edge. As a full-time starter in 2025, though, Reese’s time on defense was split nearly down the middle between linebacker and edge rusher with just 41 more snaps coming on the edge. Ohio State endeavored to use Reese where he was most effective this year, and he was their best pass rushing linebacker while sometimes struggling in coverage.
It’s not uncommon these days for star linebackers to make a transition to pass rusher. Sometimes, the NFL’s demands for off-ball linebackers don’t match a prospect’s skillset, sometimes a team’s desire for an elite pass rusher outweighs its need for an elite linebacker, and sometimes players see the disparity of pay between top-paid linebackers and top-paid edge rushers in the NFL and make their decision based on earning potential. Regardless, Reese is set to follow in the steps of Jihaad Campbell, Abdul Carter, and Micah Parsons before him.
Here are a few other rumors coming out of Indianapolis in the past few days:
- Widely seen as one of the top cornerback prospects in the draft and an expected first-round pick, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy did not work out or participate in position drills at the combine with the other defensive backs yesterday, per Jordan Reid of ESPN. After an incredibly impressive true freshman year at Oregon State (two interceptions, seven passes defensed), McCoy transferred to Tennessee for Year 2 and secured first-team All-SEC honors after doubling his freshman pick total and logging nine more passes defensed. After tearing his ACL, McCoy was forced to miss his entire junior year, but he chose to declare for the draft anyway. He has reportedly fully recovered since suffering the injury but will save his workouts for the Volunteers’ pro day.
- There are sure to be lots of passing interests and smokescreens at the combine this weekend, but according to Pat Leonard of New York Daily News, the Giants have shown early interest in a few prospects already. After securing key, young offensive weapons like Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo in recent drafts, New York reportedly has shown interest in adding another. Leonard indicates USC’s Makai Lemon and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate are names that have drawn the team’s attention in Indianapolis. In addition, though the Giants are currently pretty deep at pass rusher, Tate’s teammate, Reese, was a person of interest for New York, as well.
- Lastly, Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor is one of several linemen that could hear their name called on Day 1 of the draft. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, though, Proctor may not stay on the blindside at the next level. Per Breer, Proctor’s elite size and athleticism make him a potential first-round prospect, but in order to stay at left tackle he’ll need to take advantage of his massive frame without getting slower as he manages his weight. This balancing act combined with a strong down-blocking ability in the run game have some convinced that he may do better at guard or right tackle once he reaches the NFL level.
USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane To Declare For NFL Draft
One of the best vertical threats in college football is heading to the NFL. According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, USC wideout Ja’Kobi Lane is declaring for the 2026 draft.
Lane played sparingly as a freshman before bursting onto the scene in 2024, finishing with 12 touchdowns. He put himself firmly on the NFL map with a standout performance during the Las Vegas Bowl, where he finished with seven catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns. He carried that production into 2025, as the wideout hauled in 49 catches for 745 yards and four touchdowns.
While Lane didn’t have as much luck finding the end zone in 2025, scouts have still lauded the prospect for his scoring ability. At six-foot-four, the receiver is a natural red zone target, but he’s also known for his big-play ability, as he averaged 13.8 yards per reception throughout his Trojans career.
Considering his size and skillset, Lane is currently projected to be a Day 2 pick, with some pundits estimating that he could hear his name in the second round. Even a strong combine and/or Pro Day showing likely won’t be enough to elevate him in the same tier as receivers like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, or even teammate Makai Lemon. However, he could easily emerge in that second tier of wide receivers.
That somewhat underwhelming draft projection had many scouts believing Lane would ultimately head back to USC, per Reid. The Trojans are also set to have some definitive subtractions from the WR room (including Lemon), perhaps opening the door for Lane to emerge as a true WR1. Instead, the prospect will look to begin his professional career as soon as possible.
USC WR Makai Lemon Declares For Draft
We have already talked about how stacked this year’s draft class of wide receivers is, and one of the names we mentioned to underline this point was USC’s Makai Lemon. This evening, Lemon took to Instagram to make it official and declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. As a result, he will be forgoing his final year of eligibility.
A consensus top 50 recruit out of Los Alamitos HS (CA), Lemon surprised many when he committed to Oklahoma just before his junior year. By November, though, the nearby Trojans got in his ear and earned the flip before the fall semester was even over. He remained so committed to USC that, the next summer, they were the only official visit he took before eventually signing his Letter of Intent on early National Signing Day in 2022.
Lemon was buried on the depth chart as a true freshman, only catching six passes while Caleb Williams threw to Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice. The next year, though, Lemon led the Trojans in receptions (52) and receiving yards (764), while big-bodied fellow sophomore Ja’Kobi Lane dominated the redzone targets to the tune of 12 touchdowns.
This year was a different story. Lemon delivered on expectations of a breakout campaign, setting new personal highs with the team lead in receptions (79), receiving yards (1,156), and receiving touchdowns (11). Lemon put it all on the field this year, and he needed to. Lacking elite speed and weighing with a 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame, Lemon is not about to be a combine riser.
What Lemon does have, though, is an almost professional feel for the game and how to get open. He sees the ball to his hands and becomes an immediate YAC-threat. Again, it’s not speed that earns him those yards after catch but some crafty, fierce, intentional running that makes him so dangerous with the ball in his hands. His ability to make acrobatic, highlight-reel catches helped him earn the school’s second ever Biletnikoff Award (given to the NCAA’s best wide receiver).
In Dane Brugler of The Athletic’s midseason rankings, Lemon checked in as the 20th-best overall prospect and WR3 on the board, behind Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. In his own recent Big Board, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. also slotted Lemon in as WR3 but had him all the way up at No. 10 overall. In a class full of talented pass catchers, Lemon appears, early on, to be a consensus top three receiver with an easy first-round projection. If teams can look past his size and see him as more than just an elite slot receiver, he could hear his name called very early on Day 1.
WRs Starting To Emerge From 2026 Draft Class
In the days following the 2025 NFL Draft, early looks at the 2026 class had many excited about the potential options at quarterback. At this point of the year, though, many of the arms expected to have earned first-round buzz have made teams doubt whether they’re ready to come out of college altogether. According to Nick Baumgardner and Dane Brugler of The Athletic, another position has seen more success in emerging talented depth for next April.
While QBs haven’t fared well as a group thus far in the college football season, pass catchers have impressed. More notably, the position’s underclassmen have elevated what looked to be a lesser senior class of wide receivers. Asked to identify the prototypical X receivers in this year’s class, Baumgardner pointed immediately to the crop’s highest-rated WRs, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.
At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Tyson has the frame of a pro wideout, and he’s logged monster production for the Sun Devils over the last two years. Last season, he put up an impressive 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. A hamstring injury has slightly reduced Tyson’s output this year, but he has still managed a line of 59-689-8 in eight games. There’s little lacking in his game as he excels in getting open and making tough, contested catches.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Tate is a bit longer and leaner than Tyson, but he doesn’t sacrifice any quickness or control with that length. Tate has established himself as a deep threat this season with crisp route-running and an ability to adjust his pace to find the ball or get open. It’s hard to shine in an offense that features sophomore star Jeremiah Smith (not yet draft-eligible), but Tate has found a way by establishing himself as one of the more sure-handed receivers in the country. He seems set to continue the parade of NFL-ready receivers out of Columbus, following in the footsteps of recent Buckeye success stories like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Emeka Egbuka, Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Other receivers generating buzz for later on in the first round include USC’s Makai Lemon, Washington’s Denzel Boston, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, and Louisville’s Chris Bell. At 5-11, 195 pounds, Lemon doesn’t possess great size, but he’s fast and can excel in roles outside of the slot when given the opportunity. Boston is the complete opposite, with a sizeable 6-foot-4 frame and the abilities to play both on the outside or as a big slot. Concepcion is a danger to score any time he gets his hands on the ball, and the Aggies have made sure to feed him as much as NC State did before he transferred.
Bell is the first senior mentioned and the only one sneaking into late-first projections. Fellow senior Germie Bernard, who plays for Alabama, is seemingly on the fringe at this point in the process. Bell shows impressive traits while still needing to polish several aspects of his game, but he possesses some uncoachable strength and explosive speed that should really benefit him at the next level. Bernard doesn’t impress much as an athlete, lacking ideal size/speed/strength attributes, but he does a lot of things right with a good all-around game.
The underclassmen are truly the gems of the group, according to Brugler, who placed Tyson, Tate, and Lemon among his top 20 prospects entering the season. All of those players have matched or exceeded the hype since then, Brugler notes. At this point, there’s little question about if they’ll get drafted high or whether they can play at the next level. The more important question will be whether or not they’re ready to declare this year.