Who Are the Top Four Receivers the Saints Should Consider in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The New Orleans Saints should be heavily targeting a wide receiver early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Luckily for them, there are four bona fide first-rounders they can select from at the eighth overall pick. Because of this, fans should familiarize themselves with each of these players. Here’s a quick profile of each prospect. More detailed reports will be posted as the offseason progresses.

Jordyn Tyson

Jordyn Tyson is a redshirt junior from Arizona State. Tyson tallied 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 205 pound receiver is an excellent route runner who is one of the best receivers in the nation when healthy. He’s a smooth athlete who uses his long strides to burn a defender deep while still being able to stop on a dime.

The biggest issue with Tyson as a prospect is his durability. Here’s a list of the injuries he’s suffered in his career:

He’s had a wide variety of injuries that make teams question his availability at the next level. The doctor's investigation of Tyson at the NFL Combine will be a key moment in his evaluation. If he’s healthy, Tyson would be an amazing selection at pick eight.

Denzel Boston

Denzel Boston is a 6-foot-4, 209 pound receiver from the University of Washington. He was a third-team All Big 10 selection in 2025 with 62 receptions for 880 yards and 11 touchdowns. Boston’s a major contested catch threat, reeling in 76.9% of his opportunities this year, and is an excellent athlete. He’s an X receiver who can do far more than the prototypical archetype.

Boston is a good route runner, but still has room to improve. He wasn’t asked to run an extensive route tree at Washington which has caused a lot of teams to question his ability. Boston’s the consensus receiver number four in this group, but his fit with the Saints makes him an enticing option.

Makai Lemon

Makai Lemon had an outstanding 2025 campaign at USC with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. He won the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in the nation. He’s only 5-foot-11 but plays far bigger than that as he’s got excellent hands that don’t waver with contact. He’s super twitchy and has amazing short-area quickness, which makes him a tassel for defenders to keep up with.

Lemon’s biggest flaw is his performance against big, physical cornerbacks. This was exemplified as he struggled to separate against Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore. This issue could limit him to playing in the slot at the next level. Regardless, he’s an intriguing receiver whose production and explosiveness gives him a first round price tag.

Carnell Tate

Despite being the number two receiver at Ohio State, Carnell Tate is still an elite prospect. The 6-foot-3, 195 pound receiver caught 48 passes for 838 yards and nine touchdowns this year. Tate’s an all-around great receiver who’s a formidable route runner, a contested catch threat, and understands how to stem a defender and find open space.

Tate’s biggest talking point is whether he can be the primary receiver on a team. This and his lack of elite explosiveness will make some teams and analysts weary of him. Regardless, he’s an elite receiver who will likely be an early first round pick.