FFT Express - Top 6 WRs in the 2026 NFL Draft! Dave Richard’s Rankings & Best Landing Spots for Fantasy Football! (04/11 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today Express – Top 6 WRs in the 2026 NFL Draft: Dave Richard’s Rankings & Best Landing Spots

Date: April 11, 2026
Host/Analyst: Dave Richard with Co-host Analyst
Episode Focus: Ranking and analyzing the top six wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, projecting their best NFL landing spots, and assessing their potential fantasy football impact.

---

Overview

In this episode, Dave Richard takes center stage on “Fantasy Football Today Express” to break down his top six wide receiver (WR) prospects entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Joined by a co-host, Dave details each player’s skill set, NFL comparisons, and ideal landing spots to maximize both real-life and fantasy value. The show includes community input on ideal team fits and speculative discussion on how these WRs could shape early fantasy football strategies.

---

Key Discussion Points & Analysis

1. Methodology and Approach

• Dave’s process: A blend of tape review, player comps, injury consideration, and team needs.
• Dave acknowledges that in this WR class, "you can make the case for anybody at five all the way to one being the number one receiver in this draft class." (03:02)

---

2. The Rankings: 6 to 1

6. Denzel Boston

• Player Comp: Resembles Rome Odunze and Michael Pittman—“big, physical outside receiver type. He can win jump balls. He’s a glider, not a speedster. He’s got good hands.” (02:29)
• Concern: Injury history.
• Projected Round: Second.
• Fit: New Orleans Saints (second round pick).
  • Saints need a "physical perimeter receiver... something the Saints didn’t really have a lot last year.” (02:47)
  • Could be "Kellen Moore’s next Amari Cooper." (02:54)

5. Omar Cooper

• Skill Set: Quick, elusive, good hands, playmaker after catch. Called a “one-year wonder” but highly productive.
• Notable quote: “He especially has a knack for making plays after the catch. We saw that a lot at Indiana when he was catching passes from Fernando Mendoza.” (03:19)
• Ideal Fit: Las Vegas Raiders (second round). Potential for college QB-WR connection with Mendoza.
• NFL Comparison: "A poor man’s Jackson Smith-Njigba" or perhaps “a younger Adam Thielen…a younger Cooper Kupp. Somebody who’s versatile, can line up everywhere, make a play after the catch, has good hands.” (03:45–04:03)

4. Casey Concepcion

• Upside: Speedy, agile, tough, overcomes smaller size.
• Red Flags: Knee injury, drop issues.
• Quote on ability: “He is fast, he can run any route, he’s quick, and he’s going to be an asset in NFL offenses.” (04:32)
• Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins (second first-round pick).
  • “He can do more after the catch than anybody the Dolphins have.” (04:39)
  • Useful on punt returns.

3. Jordan Tyson

• Metrics: 6'2", 203 lbs; sudden, shifty, improved hands.
• Concern: "Injury history a mile long. But he can play." (05:05)
• Improvement: Overcame drop problems from 2024 into 2025.
• Suggested Fit: New England Patriots (potential trade up).
  • Comparison: “Josh McDaniels’ next Jacoby Myers…maybe his next Davante Adams.” (05:38–05:45)

2. Carnell Tate

• Standout Trait: Called “The Great Adjuster”—elite ball skills, best hands in the class, excellent body control.
• Drawbacks: Vision after the catch, suddenness, questions about production against elite competition.
• NFL fit: New York Giants (fifth overall pick).
  • “Could he be Matt Nagy’s next Allen Robinson?” (08:00)
  • “He can be a 1B to someone’s 1A.” (08:00)

1. Makai Lemon

• Skill Set: Tough, physical, good speed and hands, fiery, versatile, excellent in red zone—top route runner.
• Projected Role: Immediate starter with upside to be team's top WR.
• Landing spot: Cleveland Browns (could be primary target for Shadur Sanders).
  • “He could start out being their slot receiver, get a bunch of easy throws there from Shadur Sanders and then grow into a bigger role.” (08:58)
  • “Todd Monken might look at him and say, ‘That’s my Ladd McConkey.’” (09:05)

---

3. Listener/Community Landing Spot Suggestions

(09:38–12:11)

Dave and his co-host review Dynasty Twitter/X suggestions, adding reactions and context:

• Lemon to Rams – Popular among listeners, “Every wide receiver that goes to the Rams would be loved by fantasy managers.” (09:44)
• Tyson to Browns – Natural brotherly connection (his brother plays for the Cavaliers).
• Concepcion to Commanders – “Anybody catching passes from Jayden Daniels theoretically should be good.” (10:02)
• Cooper to 49ers/Panthers – Unconventional spots but interesting versatility fits.
• Tate to Giants or Browns – Seen as great for target share.
• Boston to Bills – Dave questions if this still addresses the Bills’ needs.
• Concepcion to Chiefs/Bills – Dave: “I would love that for Casey Concepcion. I just don’t know if the Bills would do that.” (11:09)
• General consensus: Everyone wants to see fantasy-friendly WRs in high-octane or WR-needy offenses.

---

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On draft class parity:

“Once you get to fifth you can make the case for anybody at five all the way to one being the number one receiver in this draft class.” – Dave Richard (03:02)

On Makai Lemon:

“He’s got good speed, he’s got great hands, he’s fiery, he can line up anywhere. He keeps plays alive...and Lemon could really just… start out being their slot receiver, get a bunch of easy throws there from Shadur Sanders and then grow into a bigger role.” – Dave Richard (08:59)

On Carnell Tate:

“He’s also got good size. He can track very well. His body control is great. He can play with physicality. I wonder a little bit about his vision after the catch. I worry a little bit about his suddenness.” – Dave Richard (07:10–07:50)

On community engagement:

“I asked you, well, at least I asked you if you’re on X… Thomas is joining me on the stream. He’s going to put up what you guys thought were the best fits. I haven’t seen these names yet, so I’m just going to react.” – Dave Richard (09:21)

---

5. Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:40] – Topic introduction; preview of top 6 WRs
• [02:29–03:27] – Denzel Boston (6), Omar Cooper (5)
• [04:30–05:27] – Casey Concepcion (4), Jordan Tyson (3)
• [07:10–08:46] – Carnell Tate (2), Makai Lemon (1)
• [09:38–12:11] – Audience suggested landing spots, Dave’s reactions and reflections

---

6. Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is fast-paced, analytical, and conversational, filled with insightful comps for fantasy footballers and draftniks alike. Dave combines deep prospect analysis and fantasy implications with lively engagement with listeners’ ideas, making it a useful primer for anyone prepping 2026 rookie draft boards or seeking new dynasty targets.

Final Thought:
Dave delivers a comprehensive snapshot of the 2026 WR landscape, emphasizing that WR landing spot will matter as much as talent for fantasy impact—so keep your eyes on draft weekend!

---

Recommended Next Steps:

• Watch game tape for these prospects as suggested by Dave.
• Track post-draft landing spots for immediate updates on fantasy value.
• Follow FFT for updated post-draft rankings and analysis.

Transcript

[Bob's Discount Furniture Spokesperson]

Spring always gets me in the mood to redo everything. New season, new vibe. But every time I start browsing furniture, I'm reminded how fast those redesign costs can stack up. That is, except at Bob's Discount Furniture. If I'm going to refresh my space, I want style and quality without draining my bank account. And Bob's just gets that. Take the Playday Sectional. It's a total space saver with built in bookshelves and charging ports. Perfect for long lazy weekends. There's even a pop up sleeper for overnight guests that's a lot of bells and whistles and for less than the competition or Bob's best selling lush mattress. It's got high density Bob O Pedic memory foam and a cooling cover just like the competition. But Bob's cost only $999 and the warranty is 10 years longer. Don't even get me started on the Modular Bob Sectional. Buttery soft upholstery, family proof construction, multiple colors, built in storage, wireless charging, even the Bob O Pedic memory foam. At only 250 per piece, it's easy to build your dream sectional for hundreds less than the competition. So when you're ready to get going on that long awaited home makeover, know there's a better way to score wow worthy pieces at everyday low prices. Stop into your local Bob store or shop online and see for yourself, avoiding

[Thumbtack Advertiser]

your unfinished home projects because you're not sure where to start. Thumbtack knows homes so you don't have to don't know the difference between matte paint, finish and satin or what that clunking sound from your dryer is. With thumbtack, you don't have to be a home pro, you just have to hire one. You can hire top rated pros, see price estimates and read reviews all on the app Download.

[Dave Richard]

Today, let's talk about the top rookie

[Co-host Analyst]

wide receiver prospects in the 2026 drafts.

[Dave Richard]

And then we'll rank them and then we'll give them fits here on Fantasy Football Today Express. What's up everybody? Dave Richard I've looked over the top six wide receiver prospects. Denzel Boston, Casey Concepcion, Omar Cooper, Makai Lemon Carnell Tate Jordan Tyson.

[Co-host Analyst]

I'm pretty sure that was in alphabetical

[Dave Richard]

order by last name and I've got

[Co-host Analyst]

some thoughts on what where they could go and how they can help us in fantasy, but more importantly who they are as players.

[Dave Richard]

And then we can talk about what you guys think the best fits are. Because I asked you. Well, at least I asked you if you're on X. So let's go ranking 6 to 1. I'm going to start with Denzel Boston,

[Co-host Analyst]

who reminds me a lot of Roma

[Dave Richard]

Dunze, Michael Pittman, kind of that big physical outside receiver type. He can win jump balls. He's a glider, not a speedster. He's got good hands.

[Co-host Analyst]

He got a little bit of an injury history.

[Dave Richard]

I think he can be okay. I think he'll end up being a second round pick. How about him going to the Saints

[Co-host Analyst]

with their second round pick, physical perimeter receiver. Like I said, that's something the Saints didn't really have a lot last year

[Dave Richard]

and he could be Kellen Moore's next Amari Cooper. Think about how Amari Cooper was used in Dallas. Maybe Denzel Boston could be that exact same guy who's fifth. And man, I'll tell you what, once you get to fifth you can make the case for anybody at five all the way to one being the number one receiver in this draft class. And I'm a big fan of Omar Cooper. He's fifth for me. Quick mover, elusive, good hands, play making flashes. He especially has a knack for making plays after the catch. We saw that a lot at Indiana when he was catching passes from Fernando Mendoza.

[Co-host Analyst]

I don't like that he's a one

[Dave Richard]

year wonder, but he was still very, very good. And I could see him going to the Raiders with their second round pick.

[Co-host Analyst]

I mean, why not put him right

[Dave Richard]

back there with Fernando Mendoza, let them continue to grow and develop. And I thought long and hard about

[Co-host Analyst]

this and I'm not still sure that

[Dave Richard]

I want to say this, but I'm going to say this anyway. I wonder if Clint Kubiak sees Cooper as like a poor man's Jackson Smith and Jigba where he can line him up everywhere. He can make plays after the catch. He's got the good enough hands, just not that same type of name recognition.

[Co-host Analyst]

But he's good. Omar Cooper's good. Go watch him play. He makes a bunch of great passes.

[Dave Richard]

And if it's not jsn, okay, we can tone it down a notch. This is what I would have said if I didn't say JSN at all. Could he be a younger Adam Thielen? Could he be a younger Cooper Cup? Somebody who's versatile, can line up in everywhere, make a play after the catch, has good hands. I like that fit of Omar Cooper reuniting with Mendoza in Las Vegas. Not just because it's Mendoza but also because of what he could do in that Clint Kubiak option who's fourth at wide receiver. For me, it's Casey Concepcion.

[Co-host Analyst]

It's a little bit by default because

[Dave Richard]

he has this knee injury that he's working his way back from. Had surgery on it in March. But man, when he played at A and M, he was speedy, he was agile, he was tough. He overcame his size because of that toughness. I do wonder if that's going to be a problem at the next level. He's got to work on his drops too. But he is fast, he can run any route, he's quick and he's going to be an asset in NFL offenses. And I don't think fantasy managers are going to be excited about this. But what if he goes to Miami? And think about the makeup of the receivers that the Dolphins have on their roster right now. Guys who are fast, guys who can make plays after the catch, guys who can take a short, easy throw from Malik Willis and turn it into a big play. Well, Casey Concepcion is probably better than anybody that the Dolphins have on their roster right now who can do that. And he can also help on punt returns. He's really impressive. It's another guy that I encourage. People go and watch Conception could be the Dolphins second first round pick in the NFL Draft. Who's third? It's Jordan Tyson of Arizona State. Six two, 203 pounds. Sudden, shifty, snappy, hands. I like his size. I like his athleticism a lot. I know he doesn't have great top end speed and boy, does he have an injury history a mile long. But he can play and he's actually gotten better with his hands. He had a terrible drop problem in 2024, came back in 2025. He was much, much better. I think he can be a good number two receiver for an NFL team and I put him with the Patriots. Who would have to trade up to get him. I don't think they can get him at 31, but it's been, it's been roiling in my mind for like a week and a half now. If the Patriots are going to trade their first round pick to get AJ Brown, why wouldn't they just move up in the draft and get somebody younger and somebody who can last a lot longer than A.J. brown can last. And I think Jordan Tyson can be that guy. And I wonder if he could be Josh McDaniel's next Jacoby Myers because he can line up anywhere. He's got good size, he's got good route running, maybe even his next Devontae Adams. Is that too far? How many times am I going to go too far with these comparisons on FFT Express. I'm not sure, but we'll find out right after this.

[Noom Advertiser]

Thinking about GLP1s to help with weight loss, Go Micro With Noom, you start off with a small dose of medication, then gradually increase as your body reacts. The Noom GLP1 microdose program starts at $79 and is delivered to your door in seven days. Start your microdose GLP1 journey today at Noom.com that's N-O-O-M.com Noom micro changes big results initial three week subscription and four weeks of medication from 79 plus tax and $179 per month plus tax for 12 week subscription thereafter. Final pricing depends on program selection.

[Co-host Analyst]

All right, we're back on FFT Express. I've got two wide receivers to go. Number two on my list is Carnell Tate, Ohio State. I call him the Great Adjuster because he can adjust any pass that's thrown anywhere near his body and bring it in. He's got the best hands in the class and that's something that obviously matters if you're going to be a wide receiver in the NFL. He's also got good size. He can track very well. His body control is great. He can play with physicality. I wonder a little bit about his vision after the catch. I worry a little bit about his suddenness. Those are two factors that are going to certainly keep him from being maybe the best all around receiver that is in this draft class. Maybe he is, maybe he's not. But I, I, I I also wonder how much does it matter that he beat up on bad teams. He didn't have a lot of great games against good teams.

[Dave Richard]

But I do think he can be

[Co-host Analyst]

a 1B to somebody's 1A and I could see him doing that in New York with the Giants fifth overall pick in the draft. Building around Jackson Dart makes sense. The Giants do that short term insurance in case Malik Neighbors isn't ready to start the season and could he be Matt Nagy's next Alan Robinson, Remember Robinson was in Chicago, was a big priority for the Bears and ended up having some great years in Chicago. Matt Nagy was there when it happened. Well, if you've been on top of draft prospects, you know who number one is. It's Makai Lemon. He's my favorite, but you knew that he was the last name on the list here. And he's tough, he's physical, he's got good speed, he's got great hands, he's fiery, he he can line up anywhere. He keeps plays alive. He's got good awareness. He was a monster in the red zone. Good accelerator, good route runner, really good route runner. And I think that he could be somebody that the Browns actually go for and don't go, ew, gross. It's the Browns. He could be the big top target

[Dave Richard]

getter in Cleveland and that's a team

[Co-host Analyst]

that's going to be throwing a lot, looking for somebody who can win on all three levels of the field. And Lemon could really just. He could start out being their slot receiver, get a bunch of easy throws there from Shadur Sanders and then grow into a bigger role. Todd Monkin might look at him and say, that's my lad McConkey. Remember Monkin, Coach McConkey in college. And I wonder if Makai Lemon could be that guy. So that's my top six wide receivers and where I'd like to see them go. Thomas is joining me on the stream. He's going to put up what you guys thought were the best fits. I haven't seen these names yet, so I'm just going to react to where you put them. First one that I see from Dynasty Angle FF my most realistic landing spots,

[Dave Richard]

but still fantasy friendly.

[Co-host Analyst]

Tate to the Jets. Okay. Lemon to the Rams. I think everybody would love to see

[Dave Richard]

the LA kids stay at home.

[Co-host Analyst]

And honestly, any wide receiver that goes to the Rams would be loved by fantasy managers. I'm just not convinced the Rams are actually going to go that route with their first first round pick. Lemons there with their second first round pick.

[Dave Richard]

I think it's a no brainer.

[Co-host Analyst]

Tyson to the Browns. He would join his brother in Cleveland. His brother's a player on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sure he would have a good opportunity to get a lot of targets. KC Concepcion to the Commanders. I mean anybody catching passes from Jane Daniels theoretically should be good. And the Commanders do need some receiver help. Cooper to the Saints and Boston to the Panthers.

[Dave Richard]

I don't love Boston. The Panthers.

[Co-host Analyst]

That seems a lot like too similar between other receivers that they already have there. And of course Tet McMillan, Jordan Vanac, one of my guys. I love Jordan Carnell. Tate to the Giants. He's with me there. Lemon to the Rams. We talked about that. Tyson to the Raiders.

[Dave Richard]

That would have to be a big

[Co-host Analyst]

trade up for the Raiders, but I don't mind that one bit. I think that would be great for them long term. Concepcion to the Panthers. I thought about that as a fit too because he's so different than what they have on their offense. I don't hate it. I really don't. I think he'd be really good for Bryce Young. Omar Cooper to the 49ers.

[Dave Richard]

I don't mind that.

[Co-host Analyst]

And then Denzel. Boston to the Saints. We already talked about that. Same wavelength. Sean Tyler Flick Tate to the Browns.

[Dave Richard]

He'd get a lot of targets.

[Co-host Analyst]

Lemon to the Rams. Point. Does everybody like Lemon to the Rams. What's going on here? Jordan Tyson to Philadelphia. I don't think I'd love that one.

[Dave Richard]

Concepcion of the Bills.

[Co-host Analyst]

I thought about that one, too.

[Dave Richard]

I would love that for Casey Concepcion. I just don't know if the Bills would do that.

[Co-host Analyst]

Omar Cooper to the Jets. Boston of the Steelers.

[Dave Richard]

There's no way that the Steel, unless

[Co-host Analyst]

they're just trying to corner the market on giant perimeter wide receivers. There's no way that the Steelers would

[Dave Richard]

get Denzel, Boston, Kuzvets.

[Co-host Analyst]

I want them all to land on the Patriots. Yeah, not one of you have put somebody on the Patriots yet. Somebody's gonna go there. Just might not be with their first round pick. And then Jeremy Betts, purely for fantasy. Tate to the Saints.

[Dave Richard]

Yeah, that would be. That would be interesting.

[Co-host Analyst]

Lemon to the Dolphins.

[Dave Richard]

I don't really love that one, I guess.

[Co-host Analyst]

Tyson to the Rams. That would be different than Lemon to the Rams. Casey to kc, Concepcion to the Chiefs. I'm not sure the Chiefs really want

[Dave Richard]

to add another playmaker with a first round picket wide receiver. Cooper to the Steelers and Boston to the Bills. You know, Buffalo's had so many big perimeter receivers. Do they really want to go down that road again? And is Boston the right guy to do that with? Last one. Let's go to Trevor Chong. He has Tate with the Browns. Lemon to the Dolphins.

[Co-host Analyst]

Tyson of the Jets. If you're watching on YouTube, you can

[Dave Richard]

see a couple of other ones. Otherwise, that's going to do it.

[Co-host Analyst]

You've got a little bit of a

[Dave Richard]

primer for the top wide receivers in the 2026 draft class. We'll be back with more fantasy football Today Express in the near future.

[Paramount Podcasts Announcer]

Paramount podcasts.