2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Brenen Thompson (WR – Mississippi State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Brenen Thompson

Brenen Thompson (WR – Mississippi State)

5-foot-9 | 170 Pounds

Background

Brenen Thompson was a four-star recruit who originally attended Texas, catching one pass in 2022 before transferring to Oklahoma. He wasn’t quite able to emerge as a major part of the Sooners’ offense, with 241 yards in 2023 and 230 in 2024, before transferring to Mississippi State, where he finally broke out with 57-1,054-6 (18.5).

Positives

Thompson enjoyed a highly productive 2025 campaign against SEC competition. Usage was relatively versatile, playing mostly the flanker but with some slot work mixed in; often sent on different motions from the slot, sometimes as window dressing and others as part of the play design. Feisty receiver whose temperament should endear him to coaches. Legitimate deep threat with impressive speed to threaten defenses downfield; quick accelerator who eats up cushions quickly.

The Mississippi State prospect tracks the ball well over his shoulder downfield and adjusts to off-target throws. Ability to beat opponents downfield helps him draw off-coverage to work underneath on curls, hitches, crossers, etc. Has quick, precise footwork through the route, from the release to the stem. Gets low into the top of the route and doesn’t need to gear down much out of his breaks. Shows the ability to snag passes away from his frame. Perhaps not the most dynamic receiver after the catch, but he gets upfield quickly, with the burst to rack up yards after the catch when he finds a lane.

Negatives

Undersized receiver who played primarily on the outside for the Bulldogs but will probably be viewed as slot-only by many pro teams. Has some trouble releasing at the line against press, with a bit of wasted motion to his releases, and may struggle to get off the line against more physical pro corners. Somewhat reliant on a stutter-step release. Route timing can be disrupted by physicality.

Thompson doesn’t present the biggest catch radius, and also has eight career drops against 84 career receptions. Caught barely a third of his career contested catches, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), and doesn’t really have the size to box out opposing defenders. Struggles to survive contact as a runner. Has difficulty sustaining blocks in the run game and on screens. Overall effort left something to be desired on some snaps. Has virtually no experience returning kicks or punts in school (although his only punt return did go for 44 yards).

Summary

A fun, feisty receiver who has shown an ability to run away from defenders and win downfield at the college level, and his speed creates opportunities for him to work underneath the defense. However, Thompson is very undersized for a pro receiver, so he’ll probably have to move to the slot at the next level and might always struggle to sustain blocks and deal with physical cornerbacks.

Lack of extensive slot and return experience could hurt Thompson’s draft stock, but he still looks like a decent bet to come off the board in the middle rounds of the draft.

Projection: Round 5