The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and the biggest wave of free agency is over. That makes it a perfect time to take stock of NFL rosters as we head toward the 2026 season. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends for all 32 NFL Teams. I’ll be ranking each unit 1-16 in their conference. When it comes to taking stock of the whole unit, it’s not just about star power but depth. Today, it’s the second group of AFC wide receiver rooms. Teams appear in ascending order.
#8 Los Angeles Chargers
On the Roster: Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Brenen Thompson, Derius Davis, Dalevon Campbell, JaQuae Jackson, Luke Grimm, Mante Morrow, Sincere Brown, and Devonte Ross
About: The Chargers have a good group that has upside. But it lacks a dominant presence. In 2024, it was McConkey. Last year, it was truly a group effort. McConkey finished as WR30, Johnston finished as WR34, and veteran Keenan Allen finished as WR29. Allen is gone, but the hope is that Harris steps up in year two. The team also has Davis, 2025 pick Thompson, and 2024 addition Lambert-Smith to provide depth and upside for Mike McDaniel. There is potential here, but it could still go either way.
#7 New York Jets
On the Roster: Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper, Jr., Tim Patrick, Isaiah Williams, Arian Smith, Malik McClain, Jamaal Pritchett, Caullin Lacy, Gee Scott, Jalen Walthall, and D.T. Sheffield
About: The Jets are a work-in-progress. Wilson is the mainstay, and he’s a good one. Despite a wildly uneven offense and poor quarterback play, he was WR15 on a points-per-game basis. He was limited to just seven games in 2025, so Geno Smith and new Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich have to be hoping for more. The Jets added Mitchell through an in-season trade, as he looks for a fresh start. This off-season, the team drafted Cooper out of Ohio State and added the veteran Patrick. The pieces are in place to have a decent attack. I like the talent and depth, combined with some young prospects on the roster. If they hit, this could be a great group.
#6 Kansas City Chiefs
On the Roster: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio, Cyrus Allen, Jeff Caldwell, Jason Brownlee, Jimmy Holiday, Andrew Armstrong, Xavier Loyd, Omari Evans, and Jacob De Jesus
About: The Chiefs lost some veterans and depth. That’s not to say it’s a bad group, just not as deep as in years past. That puts more pressure on Thornton—who produced well at times in 2025—to step up. It is also a nod toward prospects like Royals, a 2025 pick, to provide depth. The Chiefs also have to hope for more consistency from Worthy in his third season. But the Chiefs are this high because of Rice. When he’s on the field and available, he’s a force. He finished as WR5 on a points-per-game basis in 2025. If he can be healthy and available, he can power this Chiefs’ passing game.
#5 New England Patriots
On the Roster: A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, Jeremiah Webb, Efton Chism III, Nick DeGennaro, Kimmy Kibble, Cameron Dorner, and Kyle Dixon
About: The Patriots made the Super Bowl last year, but they didn’t have enough firepower on offense. They worked to change that this off-season, adding Doubs as a solid possession receiver and Brown as a true WR1 for Drake Maye. Brown finished as WR11 for the Eagles in 2025 and has a higher ceiling than that. Doubs, meanwhile, was one of the most consistent receivers for the Packers, finishing as WR37. Adding them to the mix while keeping Boutte and Douglas, who were primary options a year ago, gives the team great depth. They could be too low after being near the bottom of the heap in this category a year ago.
#4 Houston Texans
On the Roster: Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, Justin Watson, Xavier Hutchison, Josh Kelly, Jared Wayne, Lewis Bond, Treyvhon Saunders, Jha’Quan Jackson, and Daniel Sobkowicz
About: The Texans have one great receiver in Collins. He finished as WR8 in 2025 and is an anchor for this group and for C.J. Stroud. But they have many options and prospects. That includes the return of Dell, who missed all of last season recovering from a brutal leg injury. The team hopes that second-year players Higgins and Noel will take a step forward, while veterans Watson and Hutchinson provide good depth. This is a solid unit, top to bottom, that is one of the more underrated groups in the AFC.
#3 Pittsburgh Steelers
On the Roster: D.K. Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Jr., Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen, A.T. Perry, Brandon Smith, Max Hurleman, Levi Wentz, Joaquin Davis, and Cole Burgess
About: The Steelers have invested a lot in re-making this group over the past two years. That began last off-season with the acquisition of Metcalf, who finished as WR26 in his first season with the Steelers. This off-season, the team added Pittman from the Colts, who finished as WR18 last season, and then added Bernard in the draft. That gives the new offense under Mike McCarthy more weapons for Aaron Rodgers. The team also has decent depth with Skowronek, Wilson, and Perry on the roster.
#2 Denver Broncos
On the Roster: Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims, Lil Jordan Humphrey, Joseph Manjack, Dane Key, Michael Bandy, Hakeem Butler, Kolbe Katsis, and Cameron Ross
About: The Broncos had a good group in 2025. The team was led by Sutton, who finished as WR13, while Franklin showed flashes in finishing as WR31. Bryant had moments and Mims did, too. But the Broncos felt it wasn’t enough to compete for the Super Bowl. So, they made a splash, acquiring Waddle from the Dolphins. Despite uneven quarterback play in 2025, Waddle was WR24 in just 16 games. He has a higher upside than that, and figures to give this team an excellent one-two punch with Sutton. Then the Broncos have plenty of depth, with six receivers on the roster who have significant experience and upside. That was good enough for me to vault them to second on this list.
#1 Cincinnati Bengals
On the Roster: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Colbie Young, Mitch Tinsley, Charlie Jones, Jordan Moore, Kendric Pryor, Ke’Shawn Williams, Noah Thomas, Xavier Johnson, and Dohnte Meyers
About: No one boasts the one-two punch of the Bengals. Chase and Higgins are the best receiver duo in the league. Chase was WR4 last year, while Higgins was WR15. But both of them have Top 12 upside in the right offense with good health. Beyond that, the Bengals have an under-rated third option in Iosivas, who is a great role player with upside. The Bengals don’t have incredible depth, relying on the rookie Young and role players like Tinsley and Jones in the second unit, but the upside with their starters is unmatched in the AFC.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
