The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Carnell Tate NFL Draft Profile.
For full rankings, mock drafts and live coverage, visit our NFL Draft hub.
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Ohio State
Size: 6-foot-3, 195 pounds
Class: Junior
2025 stats: 51 receptions, 875 receiving yards, 17.2 yards per reception, 9 touchdown receptions, 2 rushes, 16 rushing yards
Tate was a five-star recruit in the class of 2023 who signed with Ohio State out of Florida. He played a bit as a freshman, hauling in 18 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown. His role increased in 2024, as Tate racked up 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns. Tate helped Ohio State win the national championship that season. He played even better in 2025, as he had 51 catches for 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. His efforts helped the Buckeyes make the CFP again, but they were bounced in the second round.
Following the season, Tate declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a top 10 pick.
Tate is a reliable target who had no drops in 2025. He uses his hands well to catch the ball and then tucks it away. The most impressive thing is his ability to make contested catches and haul in passes in traffic. He high-points the ball when needed and is able to focus amid contact to make catches.
His ability to stretch the field is great. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch in 2025 as a reflection of his big-play traits. Tate improved his ability to get a good release at the line of scrimmage, which sets him up to get vertical. He has good acceleration and speed to get downfield and create some separation. Once the ball is in the air, he uses his contested catch ability to come down with it.
He has good route-running ability that improved in 2025. As mentioned, his releases at the line of scrimmage improved to help him. After he gets a good release, he is able to get in and out of cuts relatively quickly for his size. He creates separation and is able to run a decent amount of routes well, giving him a route tree to build on at the next level.
He has a good frame at 6-foot-3, but Tate needs to fill it out more to help handle the physicality of the NFL. Tate is just 195 pounds and the added play strength can help him fight through physical coverage to make more plays. It will also help him as a blocker, as it will allow him to sustain his blocks for longer.
While he has good athleticism, his run-after-the-catch ability is just average. He has good vision and speed, but is not as elusive with the ball in his hands as other receivers. Tate can pick up some yards after the catch, but shouldn’t be expected to take short completions a long way for touchdowns very often.
Tate has good speed, especially for his size, but he lacks elite speed. When he wins on deep routes, a lot of times it is a product of his ability to create separation as a route-runner and to make contested catches over being faster than most corners. He has solid speed and can use it, but won’t wow with his 40-yard dash time.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 Pick
Draft Grade: First Round Pick
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