Top-10 Wide Receivers 2027 NFL Draft: Pre-Season Scouting Reports
- Zak Drapeau
- 4 hours ago
- 13 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 8/28/2026
10. Wyatt Young
6'0" 195 lbs.
Oklahoma St
Pro Comparison
John Metchie
2025 Overview
Young went from an okay freshman season to an absolute breakout year in 2025 at North Texas and one of the best slot receivers in all of FBS. Young didn't truly gain WR1 favor until Week 6 but once he did he was unguardable. He had 5 games over 100 yards in a 6 week period including 9-190-1 and 8-295-2 performances against admittedly weaker teams in Charlotte and Rice.
Young wasn't going against the cream of the crop, SEC and B1G defenses but he was in the FBS, American-conference so he did see some quality. The fact he showed elite separation along with true run after catch ability and willingness to fight for yards were his best traits and he showed that in spades particularly down the stretch of the season. It should be noted that in the Conference Championship against Tulane and in their Bowl game against San Diego State, he noticeably dropped in production.
Positives
-great separation from the slot
-knows when to sit down in soft zone coverages
-showed great production in American conference
-fights for every yard
Negatives
-unproven against quality corners
-limited in X-receiver potential and experience
Player Summary
Young is one of those guys that EASILY could shoot to the top of this list by the end of the season. The fact that Young is now in the Big 12 and will face Oregon, Houston, Iowa State and Arizona State gives him the chance to prove he can be productive against better teams and if he rises to the occasion a top receiver of his class.
Young has the size and speed to be good on the boundary but will absolutely be known as a slot receiver. His shiftiness and ability to breakaway inside make him a danger anywhere on the field and a high-volume target. I was very close to making his player comp Julian Edelman for this reason but for right now, I'm waiting to see how he handles better defenses.
Prospect Grade: 77
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9. Nyck Harbor
6'5" 230 lbs.
South Carolina
Pro Comparison
None
2025 Overview
-We all knew that Harbor was a track star at the 100-meter and 200-meter dash along with the fact he's physical enormous but the question was, "Can he get better at being an actual receiver?"
Some would say "yes" after showing improvement in 2025 but the problem was it still wasn't enough. Harbor only had 30-618-6 in the 2025 season while playing 11 games and showed that he is absolutely a deep threat but also showed that he got much better as the season progressed. In his last 5 games of the season, Harbor averaged over 3 catches, 72 yards and 1 TD per game and did so against the likes of Oklahoma, Alabama, at Ole Miss, at Texas A&M and Clemson.
Positives
-Best Athlete in the entire class
-legitimate track star
-elite size
-showed improvement year after year
-deep ball threat
-got much better in 2nd half of 2025.
Negatives
-still behind on route mechanics
-uses traits to separate rather than technique or hands
-drops are an issue
-Doesn't have the production
Player Summary
The fact is, if Harbor ever became as good of a receiver as he is an athlete, he might become the best receiver in the NFL. The problem is, we all thought we'd see Harbor make leaps and bounds at that last season and he fell well short. Harbor's size and speed will always keep him as a safe deep threat but his mechanics against the press, his still raw routes and inconsistent hands puts his question as anything but a deep threat in the air.
Prospect Grade: 77.5
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8. Charlie Becker
6'4" 205 lbs.
Indiana
Pro Comparison
Alec Pierce
2025 Overview
Charlie Becker showed flashes last year at Indiana but was behind NFL prospects Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper fighting for catches. Becker did show potential as a deep threat on the boundary with above average speed but elite size and ability to use his size in high pointing catches.
Becker went for 34-679-4 last season as the 3rd and at times 4th receiver on Indiana's depth chart. However, in a period of 4 weeks when Sarratt was dealing with injuries, Becker consistently rose to the occasion and had 3 out of 4 games with over 100 yards and 5-7 catches while being used in the short, intermediate and deep game. Becker returned to a deep threat role in the CFP and was used extremely well in a huge game against the Buckeyes and had long touchdowns against both Alabama and Oregon.
Positives
-elite hands; 0 drops in 2025
-very tall and knows how to use his height
-great deep threat
-showed progression in short and intermediate game
Negatives
-just average speed
-hasn't seen a full workload yet
-still raw in short and intermediate route tree
Player Summary
Like a lot of WR prospects in this class, Becker is an unknown quantity until the 2026 season happens. He showed a lot of great flashes last season in Indiana's Championship run and especially when asked to step up during Sarratt's injury.
Becker looked to be a deep ball receiver in 2025 but his speed isn't exceptional so it's questionable whether that will translate to the NFL. Now that he'll be a huge factor this season, we will need to see him get better within 10 and 5 yards. His soft hands make it likely but his ability to break press coverage inside and utilize double routes will be his biggest test.
Prospect Grade: 79
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7. Cooper Barkate
6'1" 195 lbs.
Miami
Pro Comparison
Jalen Tolbert
2025 Overview
Barkate had his first season in FBS last year at Duke and immediately showed he belongs. Being thrown to by Darian Mensah definitely helped but Barkate's ability to find openings and secure the catch either in the middle of the field or on the sideline at a consistent rate was evident all year.
Barkate had only 3 games over 100 yards including two dominant games against Georgia Tech, (13-172-0) and at Clemson, (6-127-1) but showed up in all of Duke's 14 games as their #1 target and at least 3 catches for 40 yards in all but 1 game.
Positives
-great route runner
-elite production at 2 different schools (Harvard, Duke)
-has gotten better all 4 years in college
Negatives
-average speed
-only average after catch
-okay separation
Player Summary
Consistency. That's what you get from Barkate who is more of a production-guy than prospect-guy. Getting better every year at Harvard and then immediately producing at Duke lends to the fact that he should be even better in 2026 now that Mensah and him are at Miami.
Barkate isn't the best jump ball guy but he's very good. He's not the best, twitchy route-runner but he is crisp. He's definitely not a guy you can check down to and get you 10+ yards but he's scrappy. Barkate doesn't have any one elite trait to his ga,e but he's very good at almost everything and has a ton of experience and production to back it up.
Prospect Grade: 80
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6. Ryan Wingo
6'2" 215 lbs.
Texas
Pro Comparison
Jonathan Mingo
2025 Overview
Wingo had his moments as a starter for Texas last season but was mostly used as a change of pace slot guy in 2025. During Texas' and Arch Manning's stellar second half of the season, Wingo saw his target share increase and for the most part looked phenomenal. We did see Wingo drop multiple easy catches that can be blamed on concentration.
From Week 8 on, Wingo was a 4-6 catch a game guy and had some of his best games at Georgia and at Mississippi State. He was used as a gadget-type of guy and frequently would get open out of the motion. He was used a lot within 10-yards and showed that even though he'd sometimes forget to catch the ball, he was not afraid to go through the middle.
Positives
-elite after catch
-elite speed for size
-has that gadget receiver ability
-very good at all 3 levels
Negatives
-too many drops
-only okay in traffic
-average release off the line
Player Summary
Wingo has such a good skill set as a versatile receiver at the NFL-level if only he had more consistent hands. Wingo's size and elite speed make him incredibly versatile and a creative offensive coordinator will know how to get him the ball as much as possible where he can use his legs in free space.
Wingo will be a main starter for Texas this year for the first time in his career and will have every opportunity to improve some of his shortcomings. With a receiver like Cam Coleman controlling the boundary, we should see Wingo used primarily in the middle of the field. If he can stay consistent with his hands while being in traffic he will definitely improve his stock.
Prospect Grade: 82.5
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5. Nick Marsh
6'3" 205 lbs.
Indiana
Pro Comparison
Christian Watson
2025 Overview
Marsh had a very good season at Michigan State last year where uniquely for his size he was used more in the short to intermediate range. Marsh has very good vision for a receiver and was often used in check downs and screens where he'd break the play open for 10+ yards. As Michigan States best receiver and standing at 6'3" he was naturally used on the boundary too but not as effective as we saw him frequently get bodied when going up for catches, admittedly against very good SEC-corners.
Marsh did have several low-production games when facing the better teams in the B1G last year but that can also be chalked up to how bad of a team the Spartans were last year. Marsh also had to deal with multiple Quarterbacks due to injury last year but showed little-to-no downfall when the backup came in putting up several 6-7 catch and 60-85 yard games in the meantime.
Positives
-great size
-great at run after catch for his size
-known for work ethic on and off the field
Negatives
-poor contested catcher for size
-only ok routes in short and deep game
-problem with drops
Player Summary
Marsh was a very good receiver last season despite being surrounded by a very not-so-great team. At 6'3" and over 200 pounds he has NFL-potential as an X-receiver but has already proved he could be a great slot. Marsh showed patience and vision when catching the ball close to the line almost like a Running Back. His speed and physicality with the ball actually REALLY makes me want to see him in the backfield.
Marsh is also known as a gym rat who routinely leads by example both on and off the field which I love as a prospect and I know Curt Cignetti cherished when recruiting him. The big question for Marsh this year will be if he can show an ability to make contested and jump ball catches now that he's at an elite program, with a much better Quarterback, and 0 excuses for any shortcomings.
Prospect Grade: 85
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4. Mario Craver
5'9" 175 lbs.
Texas A&M
Pro Comparison
Jayden Reed
2025 Overview
Craver started 2025 off incredibly and looked even better than his 2nd-round draft pick teammate K.C. Concepcion. His best game of the season came in Week 3 when he obliterated Notre Dame for 207 yards including an 86-yard ctach and run touchdown.
After the Notre Dame game, Craver flashed his slot ability and run after catch but he just wasn't the focal point of the offense anymore. Then he would deal with lower body injuries for the rest of the season and even through the Aggies lone Playoff game where Craver went for 7 catches and 92 yards.
Positives
-catch radius
-playmaking ability when used in motion
-bordering on elite speed
-very willing to make plays in the middle of the field
-TORCHED Notre Dame last season
Negatives
-size limits his boundary receiver potential at next level
-nagging leg injury in 2025 season
-needs to work on beating press coverage inside especially as a slot receiver
-with his size, I worry about him being aggressive in the middle of the field against NFL linebackers
Player Summary
Mario Craver is the best Slot receiver in the 2027 class. His ability to catch the ball in stride even awkwardly and continue his momentum is very good and his moves and speed after the catch make him very dangerous. His lower body injury late last season slowed his production down but he should be back to 100% for A&M this year.
Craver certainly has x-receiver abilities even with his size limitations even if he will never be a jump ball/ contested catch guy. When being used in motion, using double routes and within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage he may be the best in the class at times.
Prospect Grade: 85.5
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3. Ryan Williams
6'0" 180 lbs.
Alabama
Pro Comparison
Jameson Williams
2025 Overview
If we're strictly talking about 2025 for Coleman, you could only call it a disappointment. As an age-17, true freshman in 2024 Williams was legitimately among #1 player in the class talks with 900 yards, 8 TDs and his legendary performance against Georgia. Then almost everything seemed to regress in 2025.
Being outplayed and out-favored to Germie Bernard, the Crimson Tide offense often had Williams as their #3 option even though it should be noted that 63% of their opponents' defensive zone coverages faulted to Williams' side of the ball. -PFF
A no-doubt special athlete, Williams had games that were good in 2025 like against Tennessee for 5-87-1 and at South Carolina for 7-72-0 and even in the CFP vs Indiana for 6-53-0. But that was it...
Positives
-elite HS and 2024 tape
-versatile; can line up outside or in slot
-great speed
-can beat press coverage inside or out
Negatives
-clear regression from standout, true freshman season
-too many concentration drops
-skinny frame
-body catches
Player Summary
Ryan Williams will be in some people's Top-3 of the class and not even in some's Top-10 based on last season. I always look at the prospect more than the production but even I have to agree that 2025 was an eye-opener. Alabama definitely had a weird year offensively last season but their QB Ty Simpson was very good so Williams shouldn't have regressed the way he did.
Williams has great speed and an instinct in how to beat corners. At 6'0" and 180 pounds he's not the most physical receiver but knows how to beat corners over the top or underneath. I expect a much better 2026 season than last year for him but in order for him to push for a 1st-round pick come April, he'll need to improve on those numbers and prove he can be a bonafide, #1 option, X-receiver for Alabama.
Prospect Grade:
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2. Cam Coleman
6'3" 205 lbs.
Pro Comparison
George Pickens
2025 Overview
Coleman's 2025 was a significant improvement from his 2024 true freshman campaign but was still a disappointment compared to Coleman's High School prospect prestige. Coleman did show traits of being a future X-receiver in the NFL. As a boundary receiver on a very underperforming team like Auburn, Coleman was still winning contested catches and beating corners regularly.
Coleman would only get 8 targets 4 times last season and would have his 4 best games of the season because of it. Coleman also showed that he can perform against elite defenses when he went off at Oklahoma for 3-88-1, against Mizzou for 6-108-0 and at Vanderbilt for 10-143-1. To be fair, Coleman would also disappear for as many games as he took over even though I'd mostly blame that on Auburn's awful offensive play calling for that.
Positives
-prototype X-receiver
-great body control on the boundary
-very good at high pointing catches
-very good speed for size
-fluid runner when in space
Negatives
-has a little too many drops and fumbles
-Doesn't use his size to fight for yards
-Underperformed for his High School pedigree
Player Summary
Coleman may not be a very versatile receiver at the next level but he will be very good outside of the numbers as an NFL-X Receiver. Coleman has good speed but great strides down the field and uses his body and hands very well in contested catches and plays down the field.
So far for Coleman, the prospect has been MUCH better than the production. As an Auburn Tiger the past two years, Coleman was their best receiver but never lived up to his #5 prospect of his High School class grade. Now that he transferred to Texas and is expected to be Arch Manning's top receiver, expectations are high for this exceptional athlete. Essentially, the 2026 season is "breakout or bust" for Coleman.
Prospect Grade: 89
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1. Jeremiah Smith
6'3" 215 lbs.
Ohio State
Pro Comparison
Julio Jones
2025 Overview
To fully appreciate how great Smith is, you need to realize that even though Carnell Tate, (the #4 draft pick from a year ago) was lining up on the other side of Ohio State's offense, every single team was game planning and double teaming Smith every game. Even though he was the most game planned-for player in FBS, Smith still averaged 6-89-.9 a game.
Smith definitely had several "down games" in the season, (never under 3 catches for 40 yards) including conference games against Illinois and Michigan but that came at the same time that Tate was going off. Smith would also save his best for last in the College Football Playoffs where he went nuts. 8-144-0 and 7-157-1 in Ohio State's two games against elite, NFL-draft pick talent in Miami and Indiana.
Positives
-elite size
-elite speed for size
-one of the best catch % in FBS
-elite productions since High School
-great seperation
-physical catcher
-great at jump balls
-2 years of starting experience against great corners
-elite at both medium and deep range routes
Negatives
-he's only above average at underneath routes, (drags and hitches)
-could be a better blocker
Player Summary
Quite simply, Jeremiah Smith is the best receiver I've scouted in the last 10 years and may be the #1 prospect I've ever scouted. He has elite athleticism and has great mechanics and instincts at the position. Smith also has 2 years of experience at Ohio State against B1G defenses including being double teamed OFTEN last year.
Smith's play speed is better than his line speed and even if he runs a high-4.3 40 at the combine he's shown how fast he is for 6'3", 220 pounds. His only 2 weaknesses right now were already shown to vastly improve in 2025 and I'd expect them to be better this year too. Now will teams be game planning and double teaming him even more in 2026 without Carnell Tate; YES. Will it matter... probably not.
Prospect Grade: 96.5
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