One of the most simplistic ways to break down the NFL Draft is to compare the unknown to the known. While we may have a lack of familiarity with prospects, giving them a name of past and present stars makes for more straightforward projections to the professional game.
This isn’t to say that the individual available in the draft will have the same outcomes as those who came before them but rather to better understand stylistically how they fit into certain offenses and what role they may fill in the NFL.
I’m not saying player X will be as good as player Y. It’s simply pointing out that this player gives shades of someone we’ve seen before.
Let’s dive into some professional comparisons for the 2026 receiver class:
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Pro Comp: Somewhere between Amari Cooper & Stefon Diggs
Cooper is one of the best receivers you’ve probably forgotten about. He’s a former top five draft selection that only played three seasons with the Raiders because of quarterback instability. Cooper was traded in high profile fashion to the Cowboys and posted multiple 1,000-yard seasons with Dak Prescott.
Tyson won’t blow you away with his size or athletic traits, similar to Cooper and Diggs. He’s silky smooth and can win in all areas of the field with crisp route running.
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Pro Comp: Calvin Ridley
Tate is considered by some to be the top receiver in this year’s crop. He’s not on the same level of early receiver picks from recent draft classes and in most years would be a mid to late first round pick. Ridley was taken with the 26th overall selection in 2018 just after DJ Moore.
Ridley’s NFL career is clouded by his 2022 suspension because of violating the league’s gambling policy. Still, he has 1,00o yards in each of the three seasons where he’s started 11 games or more.
This comparison might feel like a slight because of the public perception of Ridley. It’s truly a compliment.
Makai Lemon, USC
Pro Comp: Golden Tate
Most of the comparisons you see for Lemon include Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua. I think the more fair line to draw goes a little further back in NFL history to Tate.
Lemon is listed one inch taller than Tate at 5-11 with nearly identical weights. They both have a running back build and excel after the catch with lateral quickness and physicality.
Tate would be remembered much more favorably if his prime years weren’t spent with Russell Wilson and the Seahawks during their ground and pound days. In three out of four full years with Matthew Stafford he crossed 1,000 yards.
Chris Bell, Louisville
Pro Comp: Deebo Samuel
Not all players deserve the frequent comparisons to Samuel, but Bell is one of the most electric run after the catch players we’ve seen in a long while. The more I watch of him the more there is to fall in love with.
Like Samuel, there are questions whether Bell can be an effective downfield receiver. Is this a limitation in his game or something Louisville simply did not take advantage of? Bell is two inches taller and seven pounds heavier than Samuel. Will that help him stretch the field vertically in the NFL?
KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Pro Comp: A mix of Doug Baldwin & Zay Flowers
Concepcion and Baldwin are comparable in terms of separation ability and size. Concepcion has a little more juice to his game after the catch which strikes me as a more sturdily built Flowers. The prospect doesn’t have the same long speed of a Flowers or Jalen Waddle; however, he has at least a couple inches and 10 pounds on each of them. That’ll play.
