Top WRs lead 2026 NFL Draft watch list Week 13

Anthony Licciardi

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Quality receivers headline 2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Week 13 image

TL;DR

College football's regular season nears its end, limiting chances for prospects to boost draft stock.
Rutgers WR Ian Strong faces Ohio State's tough defense, needing strong play despite recent injury.
Oklahoma WR Deion Burks aims for consistency against Missouri's strong defensive line.
USC WR Makai Lemon and Arkansas QB Taylen Green are key players in crucial Week 13 matchups.

With the college football regular season nearing its conclusion, the window for standout performances and significant wins has closed. Opportunities to boost one's standing are limited, and with a substantial number of conference matchups already completed, most teams are not facing their toughest scheduled opponent.

However, some prospects might still falter in their pre-draft momentum. This is particularly evident at the receiver position, where each year seems to introduce a fresh wave of at least twenty-four draftable talents competing for investment and a chance to shine. These competitions appear tight from an external perspective, and a weak finish to the season could significantly affect their financial prospects.

Let's take a look at the receivers (and a quarterback) worth watching in Week 13.

Ian Strong, wide receiver for Rutgers, played against Ohio State.

Strong's season with The Rutgers Scarlet Knights, a team that's been just okay, has kept him in the top-100 discussion. He's dropped a bit from leading the Big Ten in yardage earlier in the season, but his solid showings against conference opponents have boosted his draft potential.

Despite facing Rutgers' top opponent, Oregon, Strong managed only a single reception for six yards. He exited that contest prematurely due to an injury, thus not influencing the game in its initial half and missing the chance to demonstrate his abilities within a game heavily focused on passing.

Those chances should present themselves on Saturday. Ohio State is a 32.5-point favorite and boasts NFL talent at every level of the defense. Don't expect Strong to carry the Scarlet Knights to victory, but if he can win enough matchups against Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Matthew Jr., he'll rightfully have a little more hype.

Deion Burks, a wide receiver for Oklahoma, played against Missouri.

Burks is also flirting with Day 3 capital, and he's been a victim of quarterback John Mateer's injury, hindering his aggressiveness downfield.

Against SEC competition, Burks has largely struggled, posting 50 yards just once (against Texas) since his 100-yard day against Michigan. Clearly, the juice is there to make big plays against bigger teams. Consistency has been more elusive, and a Missouri defense with a stacked defensive line will task Mateer with getting the ball out quickly.

Burks' sub-4.40 speed is a positive sign for that role. Regardless of whether he's receiving designed opportunities or making impactful plays further down the field, Burks appears to be a crucial element for a game that could bolster Oklahoma's chances of reaching the playoffs.

Makai Lemon, wide receiver for USC, playing against Oregon.

Lemon has done all that's required to secure a spot in Round 1. He's a productive, athletic player who fits a receiver mold the NFL is increasingly valuing.

Finishing strong involves competing effectively against top-tier national teams. Oregon, recognized as a championship contender, fits this description. This will be a significant day for Quarterback Jayden Maiava and the entire offensive unit, and with tighter margins, greater accountability falls upon the offense's most reliable receiver.

MORE: Jayden Maiava 2026 NFL Draft scouting report studies college football's most productive passer

Lemon is a quarterback-friendly option, yet he doesn't compromise on potential. He represents USC's strongest possibility for a game-altering play, and the chance to add a "heartbreaker" to his achievements might elevate him above Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson for a suitable team.

Arkansas Quarterback, Taylen Green, playing against Texas.

Green's year has been a mixed bag, marked by career-best efficiency metrics such as yards per attempt, completion percentage, touchdown percentage, and yards per game, alongside persistent weekly struggles with consistency.

I maintain that Green's profile offers sufficient backup. His physical gifts enable him to contend in the SEC, leveraging his arm power and athletic prowess. He presents a rushing danger and has accumulated close to 1,200 career pass attempts. Nevertheless, Green's draft status isn't guaranteed, and his less-than-ideal performances against LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn have left a negative impression on scouts.

He won't need to defeat a strong Texas team this weekend to recover his financial losses. However, performing admirably against a skilled defense and offering the Razorbacks an opportunity to break their losing streak would significantly influence the story of his final collegiate year.