6 WRs the Dolphins should consider taking in the 2026 NFL draft

The 2026 NFL draft is less than two weeks away as the Miami Dolphins prepare for probably the most pivotal day for the team this offseason. New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley will have an opportunity to stack this roster with young talent and set the course for the future of this team.

The Dolphins have 11 picks in the upcoming draft, including seven in the top 100. Miami has an abundance of holes to fill on the roster and will be looking for day one starters through the first three rounds. Miami currently owns the 11th and 30th overall picks in the first round, along with a second-round pick and four third-round picks.

The biggest questions for the Dolphins roster entering this offseason centered around the quarterback situation, holes on the offensive line, and high turnover in the secondary. But after releasing star Tyreek Hill and trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, the Dolphins have an immediate need at wide receiver entering this draft.

It's hard to imagine the Dolphins not addressing the wide receiver group with at least one of their first seven picks. The Dolphins receiver group currently consists of Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, and Jalen Tolbert. While each of these players brings a valued skill set to the offense, there is still the absence of a true top-end, number-one wideout.

The good news is there will be a plethora of options for the Dolphins at wide receiver in this draft, both on Days 1 and 2. If the Dolphins decide to go with a receiver early, he could instantly become the favored target of new quarterback Malik Willis

Here are six of the top wide receiver options the Dolphins should consider selecting early in the 2026 draft

Carnell Tate - Ohio State

Carnell Tate appears to be the consensus top-rated receiver in this draft and is projected by many experts as a top 10 pick. Tate played three seasons at Ohio State, and his numbers improved every season. He totaled 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, averaging 79.5 yards per game.

Tate brings a different skillset that the Dolphins have missed in recent years. Tate's biggest strengths are his route running, reliable hands, and a consistent deep threat. According to PFF, Tate was not credited with a single drop last season. He also averaged an elite 17.2 yards per reception last season.

However, one question about Tate is if he will be ready to shoulder a No. 1 WR role on an NFL roster. Even though Tate is a top receiver prospect, it was his teammate Jeremiah Smith who led the Buckeyes in receiving yards and touchdowns. If a receiver-needy team like the Dolphins selects Tate, he might draw more attention from opposing defenses than he did at Ohio State.

Nevertheless, if Tate is available at pick No. 11, the Dolphins should certainly consider selecting the top wideout prospect in 2026 to replace the void left by Jaylen Waddle. Tate is a pro-ready receiver with very few holes in his game.

Jordyn Tyson - Arizona State

Jordyn Tyson would be an electrifying addition to the Miami offense as a first-round pick. Tyson is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver with the explosive speed to take the top off opposing defenses. He will be viewed early in his career as a consistent deep threat.

Tyson has played the last three years at Arizona State after transferring from Colorado. Tyson's breakout season was in 2024, when he totaled 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named first team All-BIG 12 in 2024 and 2025.

The glaring knock on Tyson ahead of this draft is, unfortunately, his durability. A hamstring injury forced him to miss time in 2025, and his numbers took a dip from 2024. He was also forced to miss the on-field work during the NFL Scouting Combine. Tyson is undoubtedly worthy of a top 10 selection, but the injuries could certainly force teams to look elsewhere early in the first round.

But if Carnell Tate is off the board by the 11th overall pick, Tyson could be the next best option to give quarterback Malik Willis an additional weapon. While the injuries are concerning, Tyson's potential upside is as high as any player in this draft and could take the Miami offense to another level.

Makai Lemon - USC

Makai Lemon is coming off an incredible 2025 campaign, totaling 1,156 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. He also added two more touchdowns in the rushing department and one throwing touchdown, bringing his all-purpose total to 14. Lemon's production earned him consensus All-American honors and the Biletnikoff Award.

Lemon is going to be an impactful addition to any offense he joins. Despite not having elite size, he is excellent at making contested catches. He is a force out of the slot and can carve up opposing zone defense schemes with elite run-after-catch ability.

Lemon carried a consistent load for the USC offense. In 2025, Lemon had seven games with at least seven receptions. He is arguably the most NFL-ready prospect of this receiver class who could become an instant number one on an offense.

Lemon was among the 30 players who visited the Dolphins prior to the draft. This could indicate that GM Jon-Eric Sullivan is considering using an early pick on a wide receiver. Lemon's talent and production on the field would make him an excellent selection for the Dolphins at the 11th pick.

Denzel Boston - Washington

Denzel Boston was also among the players whom the Dolphins hosted for a pre-draft visit. The Dolphins also attended Boston's pro day, so there is certainly interest by the Miami front office.

Boston has caught 20 touchdowns over the last two seasons with Washington. Last season, he totaled 881 yards on 62 receptions, averaging 14.2 yards per catch. His hands are as reliable as any receiver in this class, recording just four total drops in four years at Washington.

Boston has an extremely high ceiling and has all the makings of a number-one receiver at the pro level. He is an elite route runner and deep threat who is used to shouldering the top wideout role from his time at Washington. Boston is more of a physical threat than the top three wideouts, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 212 pounds.

Boston would likely be a target for the Dolphins at pick No. 30, but it is a mystery where exactly he is projected to be taken. If the top three are all selected early, the spotlight will shift to Boston as the top wideout and potentially force a team to trade up to select him.

Elijah Sarratt - Indiana

Fresh off winning a National Championship, Elijah Sarratt will look to join an NFL roster in a few weeks. Sarratt was the favorite target of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, particularly in the red zone. Over the last two years at Indiana, Sarratt averaged 71 yards per game and could be counted on to win the one-on-one matchups. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Sarratt brings the physical tools and talent to make noise early in his career.

Sarratt has put together a spectacular four years at the collegiate level, transferring up twice. He spent his freshman year at Saint Francis University before transferring to James Madison for his sophomore campaign. It was at James Madison where Sarratt made a name for himself, recording 1,191 yards and 8 touchdowns on 82 receptions in 2023.

After one season at James Madison, Sarratt finished his collegiate career with two seasons at the University of Indiana. In two seasons at Indiana, Sarratt totaled 1,787 yards and 23 touchdowns for Indiana. Sarratt was a key contributor to Indiana's championship run, catching 14 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns through the Hoosiers three playoff wins.

Sarratt would be a quality Day-2 pick for the Dolphins if Sullivan decides to address other needs in the first and second rounds. With four third-round picks, the Dolphins could add multiple wideouts to the group at this point in the draft. Sarratt brings the skill set and championship experience that will benefit the Dolphins right away in 2026.

Omar Cooper Jr - Indiana

Another star wideout from Indiana expected to be selected in this draft is Omar Cooper Jr. In 2025, Cooper totaled 69 receptions for a total of 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cooper was Indiana's leading receiver in the National Championship win over Miami, totaling 71 yards on 5 receptions.

Cooper is a receiver who excels in yards after catch, which would make him an excellent fit in this offense with Achane and Malik Washington. Cooper has 4.42 speed and can break tackles in open space. His athleticism and physicality allow him to make plays all over the field, giving offensive coordinators a multitude of ways they can use him.

One question about Cooper's game is that he was primarily used in the slot this past season, which might make teams wonder how strong he will be in a two-wide receiver set. His role at Indiana was almost strictly in the slot as a yards after catch threat. He will have to prove he can do more at the next level if he wants to earn a consistent role early in his NFL career. A receiver-needy team like the Dolphins could provide a great opportunity for Cooper to expand his game and showcase his skills to their full potential.

Cooper would be another option for the Dolphins on Day 2 if a wide receiver is not chosen with one of their first two picks. He possesses an NFL-ready skill set that could warrant consideration for being selected with the Dolphins' second-round pick at No. 43 overall.

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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 6 WRs the Dolphins should consider drafting