2026 NFL Scouting Report: Carnell Tate

Carnell Tate, 6-3/195
Wide Receiver
Ohio State

Carnell Tate Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Mismatch height and length
Quick, can stretch a defense vertically
Playmaker, threat to score with size or speed
Strong hands
Natural hands catcher
Impressive body control
Very good along the sideline
Skilled at making contested catches over defensive backs
Big target
Leaping ability
Physical with corners
Attacks the football
Adept at finding soft spots in zone
Red zone weapon
Presents a size mismatch
Run after the catch skills
Good route-runner
Enough quickness to get separation
Second gear after the catch
Third down weapon
Outside receiver
Upside
Good football character
Ready to compete quickly
Experienced and successful against good college programs

Weaknesses:

More of a No. 2
Good but not elite speed

Prospect Summary:

Ohio State has been a factory for NFL receiver talent in recent years, and Tate will continue that tradition in 2026. With the Buckeyes, Tate was never the true No. 1 receiver, as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith were the featured receivers. However, like Emeka Egbuka, Tate has still impressed with a good set. Tate flashed as a freshman in 2023, catching 18 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. In 2024, Tate had 50 receptions for 698 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 3 receiver behind Smith and Egbuka. In 2025, Smith was the starter across from Smith and had an impressive season. In 2025, Tate had 51 receptions for 875 yards with nine touchdowns

For the NFL, Tate is a tall, long receiver with surprising speed for a big receiver. With his size, Tate is a red-zone weapon and provides a size mismatch to make leaping catches over defensive backs. Tate is phenomenal on jump balls, using his height, long arms, and leaping ability to make acrobatic catches over defensive backs.

While Tate has good size, he has enough speed to generate separation and some surprising twitch for a tall wide out. Tate can run well to work on defenses downfield and threaten them at all levels. He is a long-strider with a second gear that can explode in the open field with the sheer speed to run away from defenders. Tate shows some nice run-after-the-catch ability and is a threat on screens. In the NFL, his speed will be diminished somewhat, but there is no doubt that Tate has above-average speed for a big wideout.

In the 2026 NFL Draft, Tate looks like a first-round pick and could be starting as soon as his rookie season. As a pro, he may not be a No. 1 receiver but should be a very good No. 2, similar to Tee Higgins.

Prospect Comparison:

Quentin Johnston. In terms of style of play, Tate reminds me of Johnston coming out of TCU, except Tate has much better hands. Tate and Johnston are similar-sized, speed receivers. Depending on where he lands, Tate could be a comparable pro to Johnston.