2026 WIDE RECEIVERS BEST ON SHORT ROUTES
The short route grade covers targets thrown within about ten yards of the line of scrimmage: screens, slants, hitches and quick outs. It rewards separation at the top of the route, sure hands in traffic and yards after the catch. Wes Welker (Texas Tech) and Julian Edelman (Kent State) built long careers on it without ever being the fastest player on the field.
The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible wide receivers by short route grade, with medium and deep route grades, hands, blocking and overall rating beside it.
.png)
