5 draft WRs Cowboys can add to Lamb if Pickens doesn't last longterm

The receiving options from the 2025 draft were unique. The smaller, quicker, shiftier route runners flooded the draft last season. The taller, physical, outside options were limited, aside from top-10 pick Tetairoa McMillan. The 2026 draft prospects at receiver are a return to the normal big-bodied receivers who have better body control and catch radius but lack route running, yards after catch, and separation.

Many of the top five options would be solid comps to Cowboys receiver George Pickens, which may end up being a sneaky-good thing for Dallas.

If Dallas were looking at the position in the top 50 picks, it would likely be to replace Pickens, who doesn’t have a long-term contract and looks to be playing on the franchise tag in 2026. The Cowboys have had Omar Cooper Jr. as one of their 30 visit options, so it isn’t out of the question that they look towards a new second receiving option within these top five receiver prospects of the draft.

WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri.

KC Concepcion fits with last season’s prospects more than most. He measured in at under 6 feet and 200 pounds, but played mostly on the outside. He does a great job avoiding press coverage with excellent releases, and he understands route-running nuances, like coming back for the ball and being immediate at route breaks. He doesn’t fit in a typical “X” receiving role on the outside.

Concepcion did most of his work like a slot receiver would; screens, quick separation, and choice routes. He has some issues at the catch point, but they are correctable. He also brings plus special teams play with over 16 yards per return on punts and two touchdowns.

WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston hauls in a catch as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

Denzel Boston is an immediate red-zone threat in the NFL. Boston is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, understands body position, hardly drops a pass, and has a nearly unlimited catch radius. Over his final two college seasons, he caught 20 touchdown passes.

His size helps make up for his lack of raw speed. Opposing corners commit early, attempting to attack the catch point, but that helps Boston set up double moves for explosive plays. He blocks well and has the body type to carry that over to the next level. If a team is looking for an outside possession receiver with big-play ability, Boston is an excellent option.

WR Makai Lemon, USC

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, left, dives into the corners of the end zone for a touchdown under cover from Oregon defensive back Theran Johnson as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Makai Lemon isn’t a traits-based receiver. He isn’t a tall, long-armed, or physical specimen, and his athleticism is average at best. Lemon relies on technique, precision, smarts, and work ethic to be productive. He creates separation with his routes by timing them well. He gets the defender to commit before adjusting his route, knows how to get open in zones, and is hard to tackle after the ball gets in his hands.

Lemon would likely be a Day 2 pick not long ago, but the success of Hines Ward, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Puka Nacua, and others has made Lemon a likely top 15 selection.

WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 28, 2025.

Ward, receiving coach at Arizona State, actually helped develop Jordyn Tyson into one of the best prospects in this class. He wasn’t able to perform at the combine due to injuries, and his injury history could drop him down draft boards, even though he is arguably the top prospect in the class.

He was a top 3 producer over the last two seasons before his knee injury, with over 1,800 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Tyson will play all over the field and will make contested catches, but has had drop issues, especially in 2024. His route running isn’t based on technique, and he had too many fumbling issues late in the year. Still, his production and ability to play anywhere at his size (6-foot-2, 203 pounds) make him an intriguing option in round 1, even with his injury history.

WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Like Emeka Egbuka before him, Carnell Tate (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) never got the chance to be the top receiver on the team for Ohio State. Tate played across from Jeremiah Smith the last two years, just as Egbuka had to play with Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, and Garett Wilson. Tate is a Pickens-like clone in terms of his size, hands, ability to track deep passes, keeping his feet in bounds, and efficiency on 50-50 passes.

A true explosive-play receiver, Tate was in the top three in catches of 40 or more yards and averaged over 30 yards per touchdown reception. He is so good at the big-play stuff that he might not be polished in the other areas of the position, but, in time, should become a three-level target.

You can find Mike Crum on Twitter@cdpigletor on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 5 draft WRs Cowboys can add to Lamb if Pickens doesn't last longterm