2026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile - WR Carnell Tate

Player Description

Name: Carnell Tate

School: Ohio State

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Junior

Height: 6'3

Weight: 195 lbs

Draft Projection: Early to Mid Day 1

Strength:

• Ideal size and length for the position

• Explosive, twitchy athlete with excellent acceleration

• Consummate deep‑threat playmaker who forces defensive spacing adjustments

• Excellent hand‑eye coordination with natural tracking ability

• Long strider

• High level understanding of how to attack coverages

• Exceptional catch radius that expands the quarterback’s margin for error

• Able to manipulate defenders at the stem

• Uncanny ability to convert contested targets into completions

• Near‑flawless drop rate (0% during the 2025 CFB season)

• Highly efficient red‑zone weapon

• Technically refined on intermediate and vertical route concepts

• Fluid mover with smooth transitions in both tight and wide spaces

• Shows excellent hip sink to snap off breaks with precision

• Willing and competitive pass blocker

Weaknesses:

Tate’s overall physicality remains a big concern when projecting him to the NFL level.

At just under 200 pounds, Tate is a long, lean receiver who currently lacks the functional strength needed to consistently win against pro‑caliber defensive backs. On film, he’s too easily disrupted at the line of scrimmage by physical press corners, succeptible of getting knocked off his stem before routes can fully develop. If he hopes to maintain the production he enjoyed in college, he’ll need to add meaningful play strength and improve his ability to fight through contact.

While Tate flashes good long‑speed on tape, his vertical burst is more “solid” than “special.” He doesn’t possess the true top‑end acceleration to consistently stack NFL corners or threaten defenses over the top on pure speed alone. Instead, he relies heavily on subtle route adjustments and shiftiness to create separation. Against faster, more technically refined defensive backs at the next level, that margin for error becomes much smaller, and he may not find the same level of success without further refinement.

As a blocker, Tate shows willingness and effort, but the execution simply isn’t there yet. His pad level, hand placement, and overall positioning limit his effectiveness on the perimeter. To become a reliable contributor in the run game—and to stay on the field in more personnel groupings—he’ll need considerable development in this area.

Overall, Tate offers intriguing traits, but his physical profile and lack of functional strength raise legitimate questions about how quickly he can transition to the demands of an NFL offense. With added bulk, improved technique, and a commitment to developing his play strength, he has a path to becoming a more complete receiver.