Cowboys 2026 draft: Top first-round wide receivers in the draft
With the Dallas Cowboys season now fully in draft mode, this is a good time to continue looking at needs for Dallas. We are looking at the key prospects in the early rounds the Cowboys could take. In this edition, we look at the wide receiver position.
The wide receiver position for Dallas on paper looks solid. Ryan Flournoy really proved he’s taken steps to evolve and progress as a receiver, 2025 was a breakout season. KaVontae Turpin featured more, and in parts looked solid. Then there’s the biggest conundrum, George Pickens. His price will be high, if he’s paid market value then it could be somewhere between $31 million and $35 million per year. If Dallas figure out a way to keep Pickens. then the receiver corps is more than good for the Cowboys. But here’s some options in the first-round that could peak their interest.
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Strengths
Tate is a big, quarterback-friendly target who wins with polish and ball skills more than gimmicks. He tracks the ball cleanly, extends his arms to pluck it away from his frame, and plays above the rim on contested throws, plus he’s a savvy route runner who uses tempo and body position to create space.
Weaknesses
He’s not a pure track-sprinter type, he can get downfield, but he doesn’t win the same way the rare burners do, so separation can be more crafted than purely created. He also missed late-season time in 2025 with a lower-body injury, so teams will note the durability even though it wasn’t long-term.
Summary
Tate looks like an NFL outside receiver who makes life easier for his quarterback. He owns a big catch radius, dependable hands, and enough route craft to consistently get open. His production climbed from a strong 2024 season into a bigger-play 2025 jump, averaging 80 receiving yards per game and finished the year scoring nine touchdowns.
(Top-5 prospect)
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Strengths
Tyson is a smooth, crafty outside receiver who wins by getting in and out of breaks cleanly, tracking the ball well, and stacking defenders once he’s even. When he’s right physically, he’s a true three-level threat. At Arizona State he had a breakout in 2024 with 75 catches, 1,101 yards, and 10 touchdowns and was tracking well in 2025 before injury.
Weaknesses
The big concern is availability. He suffered a major knee injury at Colorado, a broken collarbone late in 2024, and a hamstring that cost him games in 2025. On-field, he’s good-sized but doesn’t use that to his advantage. Physical press corners can knock his timing if his releases aren’t decisive, and his route breaks can round off when he gets lazy at the top.
Summary
Tyson profiles as an NFL X-receiver when healthy. Someone offense’s can feature him on slants, digs, crossers, and shots because he gets open with skill and then finishes catches like he expects the ball. The 2025 stats show he still productive. The swing factor is simple, can he register a full season of healthy reps.
(Top-15 prospect)
Makai Lemon, USC
Strengths
Lemon is a tough, quick, always open type of receiver who can win inside or outside, but he’s especially dangerous when he gets free releases and can work the middle of the field. He’s a natural hands-catcher, sharp in and out of breaks, and he plays bigger than his size at the catch point, more competitive than flashy. He capped off a solid season by winning the 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award.
Weaknesses
He’s not a prototype possession receiver or pure blazer, so the NFL questions are about matchup and role. Bigger press corners can disrupt him if they get hands on early, and he’ll need consistent release answers to avoid being stalled at the line. He projects more as a primary slot receiver than a full-time boundary playmaker.
Summary
Lemon plays with reliable hands, real yards-after-catch toughness, and enough route craft to move the chains and hit explosives. Because his game is built on traits that translate even when the defense knows the ball is coming his way, Lemon is a very intriguing to take in the first round. Why isn’t he ranked higher with that being the case? He’s not a true WR1 but a very high-floor WR2 due to his limitations.
(Top-15 prospect)
Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M
Strengths
On this list, Concepcion is easily the quickest, most flexible weapon who’s at his best when an offense gets him the ball in space and lets him turn short touches into long gains. Elite suddenness out of breaks, easy separation from the slot or in motion, and real ability after the catch. He also adds high levels of versatility as an electryfyin punt-returner.
Weaknesses
He’s not a big, above-the-rim jump ball receiver, so bigger press corners can make things uncomfortable if they land hands early and turn the rep into a strength fight. He’s a pure slot player, meaning his cleanest NFL usage is often inside, in motion, or on designed touches rather than living on the outside against long corners every snap.
Summary
Concepcion projects as the kind of NFL target a young quarterback loves. He uncovers fast, can be fed on simple throws, and turns those catches into extra yards, plus he gives teams return-game versatility. If he lands in an offense that leans on motion, quick-game, and get it out quickly touches to him, Concepcion can be a high-volume slot weapon who also can pop explosive plays week after week.
(Top-25 prospect)
Denzel Boston, Washington
Boston is a big, physical target who gives a quarterback an easy window, especially on slants, digs, fades, and back-shoulder throws. He can be both a chain-mover and a red-zone finisher, and his size and toughness allow him to line up outside or in the slot to create mismatches against smaller corners.
Weaknesses
He’s more of a guy that wins with strength and savvy rather than pure burner speed, so he may not create huge separation just by running past people. His best work comes from positioning, timing, and winning at the catch point. He also lacks consistent yards-after-catch value. Late in 2025 he dealt with a lower-body injury that cost him at least one time, so durability and health will be part of the NFL evaluation.
Summary
Boston profiles as a classic big target who plays even bigger. His tape shows he’s a reliable outside and slot weapon who can move the chains and score touchdowns because he’s strong at the catch point and comfortable in traffic. With back-to-back productive seasons and strong grading, he looks like an early NFL contributor as a possession and red-zone receiver.
(Top-30 prospect)
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