WR1 in 2026: The Jordyn Tyson vs. Carnell Tate vs. Makai Lemon Market, Explained
With the explosion of the pass-first offenses in the NFL, wide receivers are among the most intriguing NFL draftees. Quarterbacks are often the main attraction, but receivers gain a lot of traction among sports bettors since there tends to be more variability in their landing spots. There’s also not always a clear consensus with this position, as different receivers have unique strengths that may be more or less preferable for teams in need.
Fans and NFL draft bettors won’t have to wait long to see the first wide receiver come off the board. The Cleveland Browns are the first team that’s widely expected to target the position, and they have the No. 6 pick. Which player they pursue, however, is a more nuanced conversation.
Many of the top NFL Draft analysts have a different wide receiver listed as their best available. Some say Jordyn Tyson. Others like Carnell Tate. Makai Lemon and KC Concepcion are also in that territory. But does that mean any of them could realistically be the first wideout drafted?
Below, we take a look at the NFL Draft odds from the top-rated sportsbooks for the first wide receiver selected and make the case for three of the top prospects.
Who Will be the First Wide Receiver Drafted?
First wide receiver odds are current as of April 20 and provided by BetOnline.
- Carnell Tate (-200)
- Jordyn Tyson (+130)
- Makai Lemon (+1400)
- KC Concepcion (+6600)
- Omar Cooper Jr. (+10000)
- Chris Brazzell II (+12500)
Tate is the favorite to be the first wide receiver selected, but the margin is fairly thin. Tyson is a close second, and Lemon is an outside choice who is more likely to be the second wideout drafted than the first. Still, there’s plenty of potential for movement between now and Thursday.
Other top receivers include Concepcion, Cooper and Brazzell. None of them are truly expected to be the first to come off the board, but there’s a world in which five or six wideouts are taken in the first round.
Why Carnell Tate Goes First
Tate thrived alongside Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State in 2025, recording 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. While not necessarily an elite athlete, Tate is a precise route runner, and he has exceptional body control that allows him to come down with contested catches.
Any team would line up to add such a prospect to the roster. Outright speed only matters so much if you can’t put yourself in position to make the grab.
There’s also a connection that gives Tate an advantage over other prospects. The Browns notably have a fan base that’s tough to win over, but a good chunk of them are already familiar with Tate’s abilities given that he spent three years at Ohio State. Downplay it if you want, but it’s a legitimate factor that front offices take into account.
Despite being heavily mocked to the Browns as the first wide receiver drafted, you can still bet this prop at -200. That’s a fairly decent return given the momentum going Tate’s way.
Why Jordyn Tyson Goes First
Tyson goes first because he’s the best wide receiver in his class in the eyes of Mel Kiper Jr. and other big-name analysts. He’s versatile in the sense that he can play every receiver position, and he’s a quick cutter who can quickly generate space. As an added bonus, he’s an impressive blocker thanks in part to time spent with Hines Ward at Arizona State.
The numbers also speak for themselves. Over his final two years with the Sun Devils, Tyson accumulated 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns on 136 receptions. He also punched in the first rushing touchdown of his career in 2025.
The Browns connection isn’t there, but there have also been rumors that Cleveland could trade back – especially if Tate is their No. 1 guy. Should that happen, Tyson could easily slide in first depending on how far back the Browns move. It’s also possible that Tate’s Ohio connection is a smokescreen, and Tyson is the prospect the Browns want instead.
It’s not a toss-up, but the odds are tight here. There’s little harm in placing a bet on Tyson to be the first wide receiver drafted at +130.
Why Makai Lemon Goes First
Lemon is the longshot at +1400, but there’s still a decent chance that he’s the first wide receiver drafted. Getting open is second nature for the USC product, and he won the Biletnikoff Award for his monstrous efforts in 2025.
His production is incredible. Lemon recorded 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions over 12 games as a junior, putting him over 14.5 yards per catch and close to 100 receiving yards per game. He had five games with at least 127 yards in 2025.
Despite that, Lemon is often mocked as the third (and occasionally, fourth) wide receiver drafted. Regardless of what comes of his production in the NFL, there’s seemingly a very slim chance that he’s drafted ahead of Tate and/or Tyson.
Final Thoughts on Tyson vs. Tate
This is essentially a two-person race despite Lemon’s elite talent. And no matter where you stand on Tyson and Tate, the consensus seems to favor Tate to be the first wide receiver drafted in 2026.
As of this writing, you can bet Tate at -200. Keep tabs on NFL Draft news as we get closer to the first round. We’re one Adam Schefter tweet away from this line moving drastically in favor of one prospect, and by then, any and all value will be gone.
