There are a bunch of talented players in the AFC South such as Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. But what about the AFC South wide receivers?
Every quarterback needs someone they can pass to and expect to consistently make key plays every week. The 2026 NFL season is almost here, and here’s a look at the five best AFC South receivers.
Ranking the Top AFC South Wide Receivers for 2026
5. Carnell Tate
Wait, hold up, how’d a rookie make the list? Sure, former Ohio State star Carnell Tate hasn’t even played in an NFL preseason game yet. However, he has the talent to be one of the best AFC wide receivers immediately.
Last season with the Buckeyes, Tate caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named First-Team All-Big Ten and was a Second-Team All-American. The Titans later made him the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Look for Tate to be a Rookie of the Year candidate in 2026, becoming a go-to receiver for young Titans quarterback Cam Ward. He certainly has the potential to be a star right away.
4. Parker Washington
Parker Washington flashed potential in his first two seasons in the league. During that span, he only received playing time when fellow receiver Christian Kirk was injured. But with Kirk out of the picture, Washington broke out last season, reeling in 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns.
Parker led the Jacksonville Jaguars in receptions and receiving yards in 2025. That’s not bad at all for a sixth-round pick. Plus, he was instrumental in the team winning the AFC South title a season ago.
3. Brian Thomas Jr.
Brian Thomas Jr. makes it two straight Jaguars on the list. Jacksonville boasts a very deep receiver room, which makes it difficult for defenses to hone in on any one player. The unit includes the aforementioned Washington, Thomas, Jakobi Meyers, as well as Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Thomas just might be the best of the group. The former LSU star had a sensational rookie year in 2024, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards (third-most in the NFL) and 10 touchdowns. But his numbers dropped to just 48 receptions, 707 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in 2025.
Everyone’s bound to have ups and downs, though. Look for Thomas to bounce back and take the league by storm as he did as a rookie.
2. Alec Pierce
Earlier this offseason, the Colts made sure they weren’t going to let Alec Pierce leave as a free agent. Indy re-signed the receiver to a four-year, $114 million contract back in March.
Pierce had the best season of his career in 2025, recording 47 receptions for 1,003 yards (his first-ever 1,000-yard campaign) to go along with six touchdowns. He has led the league in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons (22.3 in 2024 and 21.3 in 2025).
The Colts have employed some great receivers over the years, like Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and T.Y. Hilton. Is Pierce the next one?
1. Nico Collins
Houston’s Nico Collins tops the “Best AFC South Wide Receivers” list, which is not very surprising at all. The 2021 third-round pick has turned in three straight 1,000-yard seasons and two consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.
Collins might not be on the same level as a Ja’Marr Chase or a Puka Nacua. But without a doubt, he’s one of the top-10 wide receivers in the NFL. Last season, Collins caught 71 passes for 1,111 yards and six touchdowns. He also helped the Texans reach the playoffs for the third straight year. Expect another fantastic season for Collins in 2026 as he tries for yet another 1,000-yard campaign.
Main Image: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
