Ohio State has become an NFL wide receiver factory, pumping out first-round talent at an absurd rate. Since 2022, we've seen Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. all hear their names called on Day 1. Now, Julian Fleming and Emeka Egbuka are looking to join that club in 2025, and then there's Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate for 2026. It’s a ridiculous run. But who’s been the best of the bunch so far, and how do the future prospects stack up?
Let's start with the guys already making plays on Sundays. Garrett Wilson, the 10th pick in 2022, exploded for 1,103 yards on 83 catches as a rookie with the Jets, despite playing with a carousel of quarterbacks. That’s elite production for a first-year player. He followed that up with 1,000 yards exactly in 2023, snagging 95 balls. Wilson is a legitimate number one receiver.
Chris Olave, picked two spots after Wilson at 11th overall by the Saints, has also been excellent. He posted 1,042 yards in his rookie season in 2022, catching 72 passes. In 2023, he improved his yardage to 1,123 on 87 receptions. Olave's route running is pristine, and he consistently creates separation. Both Olave and Wilson have already established themselves as top-tier NFL wideouts.
Then there's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the 20th pick in 2023 by the Seahawks. His rookie year was a bit slower, hampered by a wrist injury in training camp, but he still managed 63 catches for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns. That 63-catch mark is impressive, especially considering he was the third option behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Smith-Njigba's slot prowess is undeniable; he had 1,606 receiving yards for Ohio State in 2021, setting a Rose Bowl record with 347 yards against Utah. He's got a high ceiling.
And, of course, Marvin Harrison Jr., the 4th overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Cardinals. He hasn't played a snap yet, but his college resume speaks for itself: 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022, followed by 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. Harrison is perhaps the most complete receiver prospect to come out of college in a decade. His combination of size, speed, and hands is rare.
Now, to the future. Emeka Egbuka is projected to be a high pick in the 2025 draft. In 2022, he put up 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes. His 2023 season was cut short by injury, but he still managed 515 yards on 41 catches in 10 games. Egbuka is smooth, runs good routes, and has reliable hands. He's a consistent chain-mover and a threat after the catch. He might not have the pure top-end speed of a Wilson or the size of a Harrison, but he's incredibly polished.
Here's the thing: Carnell Tate, who only had 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown as a freshman in 2023, could be the better NFL player than Egbuka when it’s all said and done. Tate has that "it" factor. He's got great body control, tracks the ball well, and shows flashes of explosive playmaking ability. He was a five-star recruit for a reason. He might not be the WR1 of the 2026 draft class, but he's got all the tools to be a top-15 pick. He just needs the opportunity.
So, how do we rank them? Based on early NFL returns and college production:
1. **Marvin Harrison Jr.:** The highest ceiling, the most dominant college career. He's a generational talent.
2. **Garrett Wilson:** Proven NFL production, already a Pro Bowl-level receiver.
3. **Chris Olave:** Consistently productive, elite route runner.
4. **Jaxon Smith-Njigba:** High potential, but needs to stay healthy and get more targets to truly shine in the NFL.
5. **Emeka Egbuka:** Solid, reliable, and will be a good pro, but maybe not the superstar level of the top three.
6. **Carnell Tate:** Pure projection here, but his potential is through the roof.
Look, Ohio State is churning out receivers at a rate we haven't seen since maybe Miami or USC in their glory days. My bold prediction? By the end of the 2026 NFL season, Carnell Tate will have more receiving touchdowns than Jaxon Smith-Njigba.