Wide receiver is a premium position in the NFL, and it has been reflected in the draft, with 26 of them selected in the first round of the past five draft classes.
The stars of last year’s rookie class came from Round 1 — Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka were ranked first and second in receptions and receiving yards, and the Packers’ Matthew Golden had a two-TD game in the playoffs. The Jaguars are still waiting for Travis Hunter to fully emerge, but it appears that they have big plans for him.
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It’s also a position that showed its depth last year, and several non-first rounders — Isaac TeSlaa, Luther Burden III, Jayden Higgins and more — also shined as rookies and figure to have bigger roles in Year 2.
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So with all due respect to the five 2026 first-rounders at the position, including two top-10 draft picks, there might be more than meets the eye at receiver beyond that.
Thus far in training camp, multiple sub-Round 1 wideouts have stood out early. Are they flashes in the pan? Or promising signs of stronger-than-expected rookie juice? Let’s have a look.
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Browns WR Denzel Boston
Round 2 (39th overall)
It was surprising that Boston slipped out of Round 1, with many evaluators believing he could fit into the back half of it prior to the 2026 NFL Draft. But slip he did, and the Browns were the lucky recipients.
Based on the early camp returns, it might not be shocking if Boston ends up as Cleveland’s WR1 — even with Jerry Jeudy and 2026 first-rounder KC Concepcion on the roster. The Browns might not know who their quarterback is, but they sure have to love what they’ve seen from Boston.
Boston has been a camp star nearly every day to this point, even earning some Mike Evans comparisons from head coach Todd Monken.
At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Boston has the large frame to be an over-the-middle and red-zone target. But he’s also making catches on the perimeter, has received some end-arounds in camp and even has punt-return experience.
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Concepcion has also come a long way since minicamps and reportedly has flashed some real potential in recent days. But Boston has been the talk of camp, with a strong body of highlight catches already.
Commanders WR Antonio Williams
Round 3 (71st overall)
Williams was something of a tricky evaluation coming out of Clemson, where he seemingly caught everything thrown his way and consistently churned out positive plays, but he appeared to lack a superpower and is saddled with a smaller frame at 5-10 and 180 pounds, almost certainly bound for a slot role.
Yet early in camp, Williams has been a steady mover up the depth chart, even earning some first-team reps sprinkled in. He also has a route to winning the punt-return job. Williams might not be a terribly flashy player, but he’s typically darned reliable.
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Jayden Daniels badly needs reliable weapons. Right now, it’s Terry McLaurin and a host of questions. Williams easily could earn a steady role, and it appears that only Luke McCaffrey firmly stands between the rookie and a starting spot.
Yahoo Sports fantasy analysts Matt Harmon and Justin Boone recently discussed Williams’ potential as a sleeper worth your attention. If those guys are on board, then so am I.
Giants WR Malachi Fields
Round 3 (74th overall)
Although Fields has been a bit limited recently, he’s been producing at least one highlight per healthy camp practice. The big-bodied receiver has impressed to the point where he might be a starter if the season began today.
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Some of that has to do with Malik Nabers’ lingering health questions and road to recovery. But Fields has impressed on merit, too, appearing far more fluid and facile in his approach then he was perhaps given credit for coming out of Notre Dame.
The Giants traded up into Round 3 to snag Fields, and he’s shown the contested-catch ability in college, as well as a more well-rounded game than you typically see from a rookie. His run blocking could also be a plus in what could be a ground-heavier attack. Keep an eye on Fields.
Ravens WR Ja’Kobi Lane
Round 3 (80th overall)
Zay Flowers is the Ravens’ No. 1 receiver, with a fat, new contract in hand, and there are other established pass catchers also in tow in Baltimore. But Lane has opened eyes early in camp and could end up being a rookie contributor in the Ravens’ revamped offense.
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New coordinator Declan Doyle has seen enough of Lane to make a pretty big comparison for him, to former Saints WR Michael Thomas.
“He’s got this huge catch radius. He’s got great hands. He’s very sticky,” Doyle said, via the Ravens’ official website. “Mike Thomas had these strong hands where he could pull it down, in a way, if you threw it in the vicinity, you felt like he was going to go get it. He’s a very friendly guy to throw to.”
Although he’s been impressive much of the summer, Lane’s breakout practice appeared to come on Wednesday, when he snagged a one-handed catch along the sideline against Nate Wiggins. Later that day, Lane beat veterans Marlon Humphrey and T.J. Tampa with impressive releases and catches.
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“He’s continued to flash and make those type of plays,” Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said. “… The more he shows Lamar [Jackson] that he’s making those types of plays, the more trust they build, and that’s really what training camp and what practice is all about.”
Chiefs WR Cyrus Allen
Round 5 (176th overall)
Allen scared the Chiefs recently when he suffered an injury and had to be carted off the field. Thankfully, the news has come back better than expected, with the rookie suffering a bone bruise on his shin and not expected to be sidelined for long.
Normally, this might have been just another camp headline — fifth-round pick sidelined by injury — but because of the way Allen had played to that point, it carried a little extra heft.
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Allen was one of the early standouts in St. Joseph, Mo., making plays every day and steadily moving up the depth chart. With each impressive camp showing, Allen seemed to be earning a little more trust from Patrick Mahomes.Â
Allen’s potential fantasy impact will be debated heavily. After all, rookie receivers have been something of a mixed bag in recent years in Kansas City, and there are far more established options for Mahomes to throw to. But with Rashee Rice still working his way back from injury and Xavier Worthy still needing to prove he can do more, there’s still a chance Allen can use his shiftiness to carve out a role in Kansas City this season.
Saints WR Barion Brown
Round 6 (190th overall)
First-rounder Jordyn Tyson is still expected to have a big role this season for the Saints, and he’s come on in recent days after sitting out a big chunk of the offseason while nursing a hamstring injury.
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But the really pleasant surprise in Saints camp has been the play of Brown, who has been a regular standout in both one-on-ones and team drills, and he hasn’t slowed down since the pads have come on in practice.
Saints WR Barion Brown has been an early standout during training camp. (Photo by Morgan Simmons/Getty Images)
(Morgan Simmons via Getty Images)
The 5-11, 180-pounder was viewed by many scouts as a speedy specialist who figured to offer return ability and be a deep-ball threat with some trick-play potential. If the early camp returns are to be believed, Brown might have far more in store.
He’s made several downfield catches in camp and has been a steady source for offensive juice. Head coach Kellen Moore appeared to go out of his way to explain that he doesn’t just view Brown as a specialist, but as a complete receiver.
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Although Brown’s inconsistent college production and shaky hands can’t be forgotten, he appears to be putting his best foot forward early in camp. Tyson remains in line for a big role, and fourth-round WR Bryce Lance has had his moments, but Brown has been the terrific surprise to this point.
Rams WR C.J. Daniels
Round 6 (197th overall)
Many panned the Rams’ draft class, headlined by first-round pick Ty Simpson, but one Day 3 rookie is earning some real praise in the early going in camp. The team traded three picks to move up to take Daniels in the sixth round, a move that barely made ripples at the time, but it’s become a move we might have to revisit eventually.
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Who knows if Daniels’ hot start to camp can carry over, but he’s making the most of his opportunity and has impressed Sean McVay, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams so far. What they’ve seen from the 24-year-old rookie receiver is a confident, mature and sure-handed operator who clearly took advantage of his six years in college at Liberty, LSU and Miami.Â
Scouts remarked that Daniels appeared to lack a difference-making physical trait, but they raved about his pro-ready mentality and approach to the game. He also made several contested catches in traffic and was regarded for his excellent hands — Daniels’ college drop rate of 1.6% was elite.
The Rams have open WR3 and WR4 jobs behind Nacua and Adams, and you can’t count out the rookie from sliding into one of those spots eventually.
