All 32 teams have their sights set on the 2026 NFL Draft (taking place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh), with each one possessing a list of needs. There are a host of receiver-needy teams that will be champing at the bit to snag a top-tier pass catcher when given the chance. This position group features several talented players who could start early (Ohio State's Carnell Tate, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and USC's Makai Lemon) and also offers quality depth, so it'll be no surprise to see wideouts flying off the board. With that, we ask the question:
Which team most needs to draft a wide receiver?
PICK: New Orleans Saints
The Saints have Chris Olave, who is a good receiver, but injuries have caused him to miss at least a game in every year of his career, including nine games in 2024. New Orleans is excited about quarterback Tyler Shough, but the only way he takes another step forward is by giving him another weapon to work with. Saints brass needs to make it happen this year.
PICK: Cleveland Browns
Plenty of teams could use a shot in the arm at receiver, but I'm trying to focus on the one team for which it would be a complete and utter catastrophe to leave Pittsburgh without a legitimate pass-catching prospect. It might be a bit weird to use such urgent language about an offense that needs help almost everywhere and is still, let's say, unsettled at the quarterback position. It's true, most receivers can't do squat without someone to reliably throw them the ball. But most quarterbacks also need someone to throw the ball to, and Cleveland has struggled almost as hard to solve that portion of the equation over the years. Since Josh Gordon's magical 2013, just two Browns receivers have logged 800-plus receiving yards and six-plus receiving TDs in the same season: Jarvis Landry in 2019 and Amari Cooper in 2022. Don't let the frequency with which a WR is mocked to Cleveland at either No. 6 or No. 24 overall lull you to sleep on the importance of adding one. Put a weapon like Carnell Tate, KC Concepcion or Jordyn Tyson in the mix with Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins, and the Browns might actually have something cooking for whoever ends up proving to be the Chosen One under center.
PICK: Washington Commanders
Deebo Samuel, Washington's receiving yards leader (727) last season, is a free agent. So right now, the team is heading into the 2026 campaign with Terry McLaurin, who had a down 2025 while battling injuries, Treylon Burks and Luke McCaffrey as its top three players at receiver. The Commanders know they need to continue supporting Jayden Daniels, and selecting one of the top wideouts in this class with their first-round pick would certainly help. I have Washington taking Carnell Tate with the seventh overall pick in my mock draft. If he's gone when they go on the clock, the equation becomes more complicated since the Commanders don't pick again until the third round (No. 71).
PICK: Tennessee Titans
While teams like the Patriots and Ravens need a WR1, they have had success behind efficient quarterbacks despite lacking a key playmaker in the pass game. The Titans, however, have a fledgling quarterback in Cam Ward -- drafted No. 1 overall last year -- and totaled just three wins in each of the last two seasons. Tennessee must find a legitimate top target for Ward to improve last season's 30th-ranked passing attack, possibly by trading down from fourth overall, trading up into the late first round or hitting on a WR prospect on Day 2.
PICK: Cleveland Browns
Cleveland currently has a top three of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond, and that's just not enough. Jeudy can't be counted on as a true No. 1, I feel. Tillman is heading into a contract year and has never had a 100-yard game. Bond has had a few moments but profiles as a gadget weapon. The Browns need a big, high-volume target who can separate readily -- and they might need another potential playmaker even after that.
PICK: Philadelphia Eagles
It’s hard to imagine A.J. Brown playing for the Eagles this fall, given the rocky relationship over the last year or so. If a trade occurs before or during the draft, general manager Howie Roseman might be forced to select another pass catcher in the first round -- leading the Eagles to go into the season with a well-rounded offensive attack.
