Apex Insider Blog

Every year, rookie wide receivers have an enormous impact on fantasy leagues. Last year it was Tetairoa McMillan. The year before, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. lit the world on fire. In 2023, it was Puka Nacua.

We’ll dive into the profile of each wide receiver selected in the top 80 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft and see who can make a meaningful fantasy impact this season. For each one, I’m weighing the same six signals that have historically separated rookie hits from misses: draft capital, draft-day age, an early college breakout, a peak dominator rating above 30%, 2.5-plus yards per team attempt, and an early draft declaration. Read top to bottom, the profiles run in draft order – this is the field, not a ranking.

I’ll use RotoViz’s Prospect Box Score Scout to generate comparable players for each receiver. If you don’t have a RotoViz subscription, we highly recommend checking them out.

Carnell Tate, 4th Overall, Tennessee Titans

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Selected 4th overall, Carnell Tate isn’t the usual receiver that you’d see drafted this high in the NFL Draft. As a freshman at Ohio State, he was behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. As a sophomore, he was behind Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith. Finally, last year, he played second fiddle to all-world sophomore Jeremiah Smith.

As a 20-year-old junior, Tate did post a solid 30% dominator rating and 3.4 yards per route run (YPRR). The disappointing part: he never topped a 21.7% target share in college. He ran a mediocre 4.53 at the combine, but he enters the NFL at 21 years old, and his 40 time may not be as meaningful as you think.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Carnell Tate	Ohio State	4	0.19	0.16	0.29	0.82	4.53	192
39	Malik Nabers	LSU	6	0.28	0.23	0.36	1.08
22	Mike Williams	Clemson	7	0.23	0.21	0.27	0.73		218
20	Jaylen Waddle	Alabama	6	0.18	0.14	0.29	0.8
16	Garrett Wilson	Ohio State	10	0.23	0.22	0.27	1.09	4.38	183
13	Sammy Watkins	Clemson	4	0.3	0.26	0.34	0.92	4.43	211
10	Jerry Jeudy	Alabama	15	0.25	0.22	0.26	0.77	4.45	193
8	Chris Olave	Ohio State	11	0.23	0.27	0.22	1.18	4.39	187
8	DeVonta Smith	Alabama	10	0.27	0.3	0.4	1.77
7	JaMarr Chase	LSU	5	0.27	0.31	0.32	1.43	4.34	201
6	CeeDee Lamb	Oklahoma	17	0.25	0.27	0.34	1.08	4.5	198

Sim refers to the sim score for how similar each comparable player is. DP is the player’s draft position. CYMS is each player’s career receiving yards market share. CTDMS is each player’s career receiving touchdowns market share. FYMS is each player’s final year receiving yards market share. FTD/G is each player’s final year receiving touchdowns per game.

You’ll notice that Tate’s comparable players aren’t a tight match. That’s largely because his production doesn’t line up with his draft position. Tate wasn’t a dominant collegiate receiver; he benefited from playing alongside elite teammates. Among his comps, only the often-injured Jaylen Waddle posted a lower career receiving yards market share.

The Titans have said that Tate was the perfect fit for Cam Ward and “there was nothing but praise for him” after the first week of OTAs. Without much target competition, Tate should have a clear path to early playing time and an immediate role.

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Jordyn Tyson, 8th Overall, New Orleans Saints

As a true freshman at Colorado, Jordyn Tyson posted a 43% dominator rating in eight games and led his team in receiving. After transferring to Arizona State, he compiled 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns in 21 games despite playing through injuries. A career 46% dominator rating underscores his ability to earn targets. The one minor gripe: a limited ability to force missed tackles after the catch.

While he didn’t test at the combine, Tyson was dominant from a production standpoint. Unlike most of this class, he has shown a dynamic ability to get open and draw targets.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Jordyn Tyson	Arizona State	8	0.37	0.55	0.39	0.89		203
41	Justin Blackmon	Oklahoma State	5	0.32	0.45	0.3	1.38	4.46	207
18	Amari Cooper	Alabama	4	0.37	0.36	0.44	1.14	4.42	211
16	Michael Floyd	Notre Dame	13	0.32	0.41	0.35	0.69	4.4	220
12	Will Fuller V	Notre Dame	21	0.3	0.45	0.37	1.08	4.32	186
10	Kevin White	West Virginia	7	0.28	0.37	0.35	0.77	4.35	215
8	Hakeem Nicks	North Carolina	29	0.39	0.46	0.47	0.92	4.51	212
7	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Maryland	7	0.29	0.34	0.26	0.42	4.3	210
7	Corey Coleman	Baylor	15	0.27	0.34	0.37	1.67	4.42	194
7	Julio Jones	Alabama	6	0.33	0.3	0.33	0.54	4.34	220
6	D.J. Moore	Maryland	24	0.33	0.39	0.53	0.67	4.42	210

With comps like Amari Cooper, Hakeem Nicks, Julio Jones, and D.J. Moore, there’s plenty of reason for enthusiasm around Jordyn Tyson. While he missed time with injury, Tyson was the most productive WR in this class and has the highest ceiling.

QB Tyler Shough said Tyson is “an elite separator.” The Saints don’t have much in the way of target earners outside of Chris Olave, so expect Tyson to carve out a big role immediately.

Makai Lemon, 20th Overall, Philadelphia Eagles

As a freshman, Lemon wasn’t heavily involved. As a sophomore, he led USC in receiving with an 18% dominator rating and 1.75 YPTA.

In his junior season, Lemon broke out with a 38% dominator rating and 2.96 YPTA. Like Tate and Tyson, he’s an early declare. While COVID seasons muddy the water a bit, non-early declares are much less productive in the NFL.

I didn’t include his Pro Day 40 time because the numbers vary, but Lemon is small and not especially athletic. At 3.02 YPRR for his college career, though, he was excellent at drawing targets.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Makai Lemon	USC	20	0.25	0.22	0.32	0.92		192
99	CeeDee Lamb	Oklahoma	17	0.25	0.27	0.34	1.08	4.5	198
98	Nelson Agholor	USC	20	0.26	0.23	0.34	0.92	4.42	198
96	Jerry Jeudy	Alabama	15	0.25	0.22	0.26	0.77	4.45	193
91	Calvin Ridley	Alabama	26	0.3	0.25	0.36	0.36	4.43	189
83	Justin Hunter	Tennessee	34	0.26	0.28	0.29	0.75	4.44	196
81	Breshad Perriman	UCF	26	0.26	0.24	0.34	0.69		212
78	Justin Jefferson	LSU	22	0.26	0.3	0.26	1.2	4.43	202
72	Quentin Johnston	TCU	21	0.31	0.3	0.31	0.46		208
63	Corey Coleman	Baylor	15	0.27	0.34	0.37	1.67	4.42	194
61	Jeremy Maclin	Missouri	19	0.26	0.29	0.27	0.93	4.43	198

A slot receiver frequently compared to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lemon draws plenty of smaller, twitchy slot comps. He looks ready to make an immediate impact.

With A.J. Brown traded, the concern for Lemon is that Jalen Hurts has consistently struggled throwing over the middle. That said, the Eagles have committed to a new offensive system which could benefit the rookie. Unfortunately, Lemon is currently out with a hamstring injury.

KC Concepcion, 24th Overall, Cleveland Browns

Concepcion played his first two years at NC State. He was excellent as a freshman, reaching a 43% dominator rating while also finishing second on the team in rushing. He took a step back as a sophomore before transferring to Texas A&M, where he posted a 31% dominator rating and 2.25 YPTA as a junior.

After the catch, he was among the best in this class at forcing missed tackles and gaining YAC. The concern is that Concepcion looked like a gadget/manufactured-touch player for much of his college career. His final season was more encouraging, as he evolved into a legitimate outside receiver.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Kevin Concepcion	Texas A&M	24	0.26	0.4	0.27	0.69		196
98	Jalen Reagor	TCU	21	0.26	0.35	0.25	0.42	4.47	206
87	Justin Jefferson	LSU	22	0.26	0.3	0.26	1.2	4.43	202
79	Christian Kirk	Texas A&M	47	0.29	0.36	0.28	0.77	4.47	201
72	Justin Hunter	Tennessee	34	0.26	0.28	0.29	0.75	4.44	196
68	Robert Woods	USC	41	0.29	0.3	0.23	0.85	4.51	201
62	CeeDee Lamb	Oklahoma	17	0.25	0.27	0.34	1.08	4.5	198
59	Corey Coleman	Baylor	15	0.27	0.34	0.37	1.67	4.42	194
57	Tee Higgins	Clemson	33	0.23	0.3	0.27	0.87		216
55	Brian Robiskie	Ohio State	36	0.25	0.33	0.27	0.62	4.46	209
54	Quentin Johnston	TCU	21	0.31	0.3	0.31	0.46		208

The comparable players present a mixed bag for Concepcion. The good news is that he has one of the earliest breakout ages in this class. The concern is that he was never a truly dominant college producer.

After a dreadful 2025, it remains to be seen whether Jerry Jeudy reclaims his role as the Browns’ top wide receiver. At the very least, Concepcion has a chance to become the top target earner behind Harold Fannin.

Omar Cooper Jr., 30th Overall, New York Jets

Omar Cooper played his first college season at Indiana as a 20-year-old. He saw limited action but was involved, posting a 20% dominator rating on a low 1.2 YPTA.

His best season came as a junior, when he reached a 28% dominator rating and 2.51 YPTA. Cooper played the slot for the national champions and is the most evasive receiver in this class – excellent at breaking tackles. For his career, he was effective with a 2.47 YPRR.

At the NFL Combine, Cooper ran a 4.42 forty, which at his 199-pound frame equals a 79th-percentile speed score. His 37-inch vertical was also impressive.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Omar Cooper Jr.	Indiana	30	0.21	0.25	0.27	0.87	4.42	199
99	Justin Hunter	Tennessee	34	0.26	0.28	0.29	0.75	4.44	196
94	Justin Jefferson	LSU	22	0.26	0.3	0.26	1.2	4.43	202
84	Nelson Agholor	USC	20	0.26	0.23	0.34	0.92	4.42	198
81	Tee Higgins	Clemson	33	0.23	0.3	0.27	0.87		216
78	Devin Smith	Ohio State	37	0.26	0.28	0.27	0.86	4.42	196
75	Jerry Jeudy	Alabama	15	0.25	0.22	0.26	0.77	4.45	193
74	Alec Pierce	Cincinnati	53	0.26	0.21	0.27	0.57	4.41	211
71	Jalen Reagor	TCU	21	0.26	0.35	0.25	0.42	4.47	206
65	CeeDee Lamb	Oklahoma	17	0.25	0.27	0.34	1.08	4.5	198
65	Jeremy Maclin	Missouri	19	0.26	0.29	0.27	0.93	4.43	198

It’s rare for a player with this production profile to come off the board this high. Cooper has the lowest career yardage market share of any receiver on this list. Age-adjusted production isn’t baked into the similarity tool, and it isn’t an area where Cooper thrives either.

As a first-round pick, Cooper will get opportunities. But Garrett Wilson should remain a target hog, and athletic freak TE Kenyon Sadiq, the 16th overall pick, will be heavily involved as well.

De’Zhaun Stribling, 33rd Overall, San Francisco 49ers

With the first round off the board, the second-rounders carry less draft capital but plenty of intrigue. Stribling had a five-year college career that began at Washington State, but he didn’t break out until his age-22 season at Oklahoma State and never dominated passing-game work – his career YPRR is a dreadful 1.68.

He did run a 4.36 forty at 207 pounds, good for a 97th-percentile speed score, but he’ll turn 24 in December.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	DeZhaun Stribling	Ole Miss	33	0.2	0.23	0.17	0.4	4.36	207
52	Aaron Dobson	Marshall	59	0.23	0.29	0.18	0.3	4.37	210
34	Devin Smith	Ohio State	37	0.26	0.28	0.27	0.86	4.42	196
31	Jonathan Mingo	Ole Miss	39	0.21	0.2	0.29	0.42	4.46	220
31	Phillip Dorsett	Miami	29	0.21	0.23	0.29	0.83	4.33	185
28	Kadarius Toney	Florida	20	0.15	0.13	0.23	0.91	4.39	193
28	Mohamed Massaquoi	Georgia	50	0.2	0.19	0.25	0.62	4.51	210
25	Brian Robiskie	Ohio State	36	0.25	0.33	0.27	0.62	4.46	209
24	Dante Pettis	Washington	44	0.2	0.27	0.26	0.54		186
22	Xavier Legette	South Carolina	32	0.21	0.21	0.38	0.58	4.39	221
17	Deebo Samuel	South Carolina	36	0.29	0.29	0.26	0.92	4.48	214

Given his lack of production, plenty of misses show up among his comps. The one hit is another Kyle Shanahan selection, Deebo Samuel. Stribling is a legitimate athlete, but players who lack college production generally struggle in the NFL.

Stribling has been praised by Shanahan for his ability to block downfield. Behind Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk, it seems unlikely that Stribling carves out a big role right away.

Denzel Boston, 39th Overall, Cleveland Browns

Denzel Boston played limited snaps during his first two years at Washington, sharing the field with Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan. He reached a 33% dominator rating as a 21-year-old junior before climbing to 41% as a senior.

At 2.02 YPRR, Boston barely cleared the 2.0 YPRR mark that Scott Barrett of Fantasy Points has shown is a damning benchmark for collegiate prospects. It’s also concerning that, as a non-early declare, his best production came as a 22-year-old senior, and outside of a 70th-percentile agility score he didn’t test well athletically.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Denzel Boston	Washington	39	0.23	0.38	0.33	1		212
97	Brian Robiskie	Ohio State	36	0.25	0.33	0.27	0.62	4.46	209
93	Denzel Mims	Baylor	59	0.27	0.39	0.31	0.92	4.38	207
76	Leonard Hankerson	Miami	79	0.26	0.38	0.37	1	4.4	209
72	James Washington	Oklahoma State	60	0.26	0.33	0.31	1	4.54	213
69	Deebo Samuel	South Carolina	36	0.29	0.29	0.26	0.92	4.48	214
65	Tee Higgins	Clemson	33	0.23	0.3	0.27	0.87		216
65	Devin Smith	Ohio State	37	0.26	0.28	0.27	0.86	4.42	196
63	Michael Pittman Jr.	USC	34	0.25	0.27	0.29	0.85	4.52	223
61	DeVier Posey	Ohio State	68	0.3	0.3	0.34	0.67	4.39	211
56	Christian Kirk	Texas A&M	47	0.29	0.36	0.28	0.77	4.47	201

Boston is once again tied for the lowest career yardage market share among his comps, and his lack of early production isn’t ideal. He’ll be involved given the draft capital, but he likely spends 2026 behind Fannin, Concepcion, and Jeudy on an offense that struggles to throw the ball.

Germie Bernard, 47th Overall, Pittsburgh Steelers

Germie Bernard’s first meaningful season came as a junior at Alabama, when he reached a 19% dominator rating. He topped that as a 22-year-old senior, climbing to 23%. Alabama’s coaches also used him on the ground, where he ran 18 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

As a non-early declare, he failed to clear 2.0 YPRR, landing at just 1.9. But he consistently played alongside strong teammates – Keon Coleman and Jayden Reed at Michigan State, then Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan, and Denzel Boston at Washington, before competing with likely 2027 first-rounder Ryan Williams last year. He’s a decent athlete (4.48 forty at 206 pounds) who tested well in the agility drills but struggled in the leaping events.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Germie Bernard	Alabama	47	0.18	0.14	0.23	0.5	4.48	206
99	Mohamed Massaquoi	Georgia	50	0.2	0.19	0.25	0.62	4.51	210
96	Josh Palmer	Tennessee	77	0.18	0.13	0.23	0.4	4.51	210
87	Amari Rodgers	Clemson	85	0.15	0.14	0.24	0.58	4.52	212
84	Jonathan Mingo	Ole Miss	39	0.21	0.2	0.29	0.42	4.46	220
73	Derrick Williams	Penn State	82	0.18	0.14	0.15	0.31	4.47	194
72	Malachi Corley	Western Kentucky	65	0.2	0.21	0.28	0.92
69	Juaquin Iglesias	Oklahoma	99	0.22	0.16	0.24	0.71	4.44	210
61	John Metchie	Alabama	44	0.2	0.14	0.25	0.62		187
55	Josh Huff	Oregon	86	0.22	0.22	0.3	0.92	4.51	206
55	Rashee Rice	SMU	55	0.24	0.21	0.35	0.83	4.51	204

At just 16% of his team’s career receiving yards, the outlook isn’t pretty – Rashee Rice is the lone comp hit, and he was far more productive. Behind Michael Pittman and DK Metcalf, meaningful work in 2026 is unlikely, though HC Mike McCarthy has historically run more 3-WR sets than Arthur Smith.

Antonio Williams, 71st Overall, Washington Commanders

Rounding out the top 80 are the third-round fliers – deeper stashes where the production profiles tend to thin out. Antonio Williams played well right away, leading Clemson in receiving yards as an 18-year-old true freshman. His best season came as a junior, when he again paced the Tigers with 902 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Williams is a unique profile: he produced early but never truly dominated, finishing with a career 1.97 YPRR as a non-early declare. He was used as a rusher and was targeted heavily near the line. At 187 pounds, he ran a 4.41 forty and tested well in the leaping drills.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Antonio Williams	Clemson	71	0.21	0.23	0.23	0.44	4.41	187
98	Jerrel Jernigan	Troy	83	0.22	0.17	0.21	0.46	4.46	185
97	Malachi Corley	Western Kentucky	65	0.2	0.21	0.28	0.92
96	Jalen McMillan	Washington	92	0.21	0.25	0.21	0.71	4.47	197
96	Roman Wilson	Michigan	84	0.17	0.29	0.25	0.86	4.39	185
93	Dante Pettis	Washington	44	0.2	0.27	0.26	0.54		186
92	Markus Wheaton	Oregon State	79	0.24	0.2	0.31	0.85	4.45	189
88	Taylor Price	Ohio	90	0.23	0.21	0.28	0.36	4.4	204
86	DaeSean Hamilton	Penn State	113	0.22	0.2	0.23	0.69		203
85	Jarius Wright	Arkansas	118	0.22	0.24	0.31	1	4.39	182
77	Titus Young	Boise State	44	0.24	0.21	0.29	0.69	4.43	174

This isn’t a comp list that inspires much optimism. The upside is the pairing with Jayden Daniels on a depth chart thin on receiving options behind Terry McLaurin.

Malachi Fields, 74th Overall, New York Giants

A five-year college player, Malachi Fields didn’t produce much until his junior season at Virginia. Behind Malik Washington, he finished second on the team in receiving with a 27% dominator rating, then bumped that to 30% after Washington’s departure in 2024. In his final season, Fields transferred to Notre Dame and posted a disappointing 20% dominator rating. His career YPRR sits at 1.94.

At 6’5” and 218 pounds he’s a bigger body, but a 4.61 forty and limited agility cap the athletic profile.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Malachi Fields	Notre Dame	74	0.21	0.21	0.21	0.42	4.61	218
97	Michael Wilson	Stanford	94	0.19	0.2	0.26	0.67	4.58	213
87	Cedric Tillman	Tennessee	74	0.25	0.29	0.22	0.5	4.54	213
77	Ty Montgomery	Stanford	94	0.23	0.21	0.24	0.27	4.55	221
73	Patrick Turner	USC	87	0.17	0.17	0.22	0.77	4.59	223
58	Austin Pettis	Boise State	78	0.2	0.3	0.23	0.77	4.56	209
48	Mohamed Massaquoi	Georgia	50	0.2	0.19	0.25	0.62	4.51	210
45	Josh Palmer	Tennessee	77	0.18	0.13	0.23	0.4	4.51	210
42	Chris Moore	Cincinnati	107	0.18	0.29	0.21	0.64	4.53	206
38	Josh Huff	Oregon	86	0.22	0.22	0.3	0.92	4.51	206
37	Amari Rodgers	Clemson	85	0.15	0.14	0.24	0.58	4.52	212

The comp list is better than I expected, but there aren’t many true WR hits. At 23 with little beyond size, Fields doesn’t check many boxes – and assuming Nabers stays healthy, it’s hard to see him making a consistent fantasy impact as a rookie.

Caleb Douglas, 75th Overall, Miami Dolphins

Caleb Douglas never topped a 17% dominator rating in two years at Florida and peaked at just 22% (1.83 YPTA) as a senior after transferring to Texas Tech.

At 6’4” and 206 pounds, Douglas ran a 4.39 forty, which likely drove his draft position, because his production was poor.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Caleb Douglas	Texas Tech	75	0.2	0.2	0.22	0.54	4.39	206
98	Taylor Price	Ohio	90	0.23	0.21	0.28	0.36	4.4	204
97	Juaquin Iglesias	Oklahoma	99	0.22	0.16	0.24	0.71	4.44	210
94	Gary Jennings	West Virginia	120	0.2	0.17	0.23	1.18	4.42	214
93	Jalen McMillan	Washington	92	0.21	0.25	0.21	0.71	4.47	197
87	Aaron Dobson	Marshall	59	0.23	0.29	0.18	0.3	4.37	210
81	Kevin Norwood	Alabama	123	0.18	0.19	0.19	0.58	4.48	198
81	Dez Fitzpatrick	Louisville	109	0.21	0.26	0.31	0.27	4.43	208
80	Mohamed Massaquoi	Georgia	50	0.2	0.19	0.25	0.62	4.51	210
80	Josh Palmer	Tennessee	77	0.18	0.13	0.23	0.4	4.51	210
79	Kealoha Pilares	Hawai'i	132	0.16	0.18	0.27	1.25	4.42	199

Unsurprisingly, the comps aren’t productive – from breakout age to dominator rating, little here suggests NFL success. He enters the league’s thinnest receiver room in Miami, but with Malik Willis unlikely to pile up attempts, Douglas still isn’t a lock to separate from Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington.

Zachariah Branch, 79th Overall, Atlanta Falcons

Through two seasons at USC, Zachariah Branch produced very little before reaching a 25% dominator rating in his age-21 year at Georgia.

Gadget concerns linger for Branch, who was targeted behind the line of scrimmage on 45.5% of his targets, a usage pattern that generally hasn’t translated well to the NFL.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	Zachariah Branch	Georgia	79	0.16	0.11	0.26	0.43	4.35	177
85	Anthony Gould	Oregon State	142	0.2	0.13	0.26	0.18	4.39	174
83	Anthony Schwartz	Auburn	91	0.21	0.13	0.31	0.3	4.27	186
75	Tre Tucker	Cincinnati	100	0.13	0.09	0.23	0.27	4.4	182
73	Keke Coutee	Texas Tech	103	0.2	0.17	0.33	0.77	4.43	181
65	Travis Benjamin	Miami	100	0.2	0.16	0.24	0.27	4.31	172
57	Keshawn Martin	Michigan State	121	0.15	0.13	0.24	0.31	4.42	188
54	Isaiah McKenzie	Georgia	172	0.17	0.18	0.27	0.58	4.42	173
53	John Metchie	Alabama	44	0.2	0.14	0.25	0.62		187
45	Ladd McConkey	Georgia	34	0.16	0.16	0.2	0.25	4.39	186
38	Mecole Hardman	Georgia	56	0.17	0.2	0.17	0.54	4.33	187

Branch profiles much like Anthony Schwartz, who appears among his comps. The reality is that this archetype historically carries a low hit rate.

The Falcons’ depth chart is open behind Drake London, but it’s hard to see Branch consolidating much beyond gadget work.

Ja’Kobi Lane, 80th Overall, Baltimore Ravens

At USC, Ja’Kobi Lane wasn’t productive as a freshman before catching 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. That spike produced a 31% dominator rating, though he commanded only 15% of his team’s receiving yards. He posted a 20% dominator rating as a junior before declaring early for the NFL Draft.

At 6’4” and 200 pounds, Lane ran a 4.47 forty, good for an 83rd-percentile speed score, and added a 92nd-percentile burst score.

Sim	Player	School	DP	CYMS	CTDMS	FYMS	FTD/G	40	WT
100	JaKobi Lane	USC	80	0.15	0.26	0.22	0.36	4.47	200
95	Bruce Ellington	South Carolina	106	0.2	0.23	0.25	0.67	4.45	197
77	Jalen McMillan	Washington	92	0.21	0.25	0.21	0.71	4.47	197
75	Nico Collins	Michigan	89	0.23	0.28	0.24	0.58	4.43	215
74	Riley Ridley	Georgia	126	0.18	0.25	0.18	0.64	4.58	199
72	Chris Moore	Cincinnati	107	0.18	0.29	0.21	0.64	4.53	206
71	Miles Boykin	Notre Dame	93	0.19	0.23	0.26	0.62	4.42	220
71	Brian Hartline	Ohio State	108	0.23	0.2	0.27	0.33	4.49	195
68	Diontae Johnson	Toledo	66	0.21	0.27	0.26	0.62	4.53	183
65	Kenny Stills	Oklahoma	144	0.2	0.26	0.22	0.85	4.38	194
64	Martavis Bryant	Clemson	118	0.16	0.15	0.2	0.58	4.42	211

There are some hits on this list, but Lane’s yardage market share is the lowest of the group. It’s not a hugely inspiring profile, though few in this draft are. Lane will open 2026 buried behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.