2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)

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

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Carnell Tate

Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)

6-foot-3 | 195 Pounds

Background

Carnell Tate was a five-star recruit out of the IMG Academy who spent the first season of his collegiate career in a reserve role following the drive-by-shooting death of his mother. He finished the season with 18-264-1 (14.7). Took over a starting role the following year and posted 52-733-4 (14.1), then expanded on those numbers a bit this past season, going 51-875-9 (17.2) despite playing only 11 games.

Positives

Tate is a tall, long-limbed two-year starter for college football’s premier receiver factory; really looks the part of a pro split end. Long-strider who eats up cushions quickly against off-coverage. A lot of his routes came at the intermediate and deep levels of the field, sometimes on double moves, showing off his impressive play speed, which makes him a legitimate deep threat.

The Ohio State product’s route tree is relatively diverse and consists of curls, comebacks, overs, posts, post-corners, etc. Teams respected him by showing him a lot of off-coverage. Shows good suddenness to release at the line of scrimmage against press coverage, and to freeze defenders at the stem, with good burst out of his breaks to create separation. Sinks his hips well into the break for such a tall receiver.

Generally finds and settles into soft spots against zone coverage. Works back to the ball on curls/hooks/comebacks to limit the possibility of turnovers. Shows good awareness, body control and footwork near the sidelines. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder downfield. Shows impressive overall flexibility and presents a big target who can pluck the ball away from his frame and adjust effectively to off-target throws.

Tate has very reliable mitts, with only five career drops, none of which came this past season. Shows good focus and strength to make contested catches, coming down with over two-thirds of such passes in his career, including 12 in 2025. Smooth accelerator with the ball in his hands, showing the speed to pull away from pursuing defenders. Has the frame and length to develop into a high-quality blocker.

Negatives

Tate wasn’t the most high-volume target in school. Taller and longer than he is thickly built. Occasionally runs his way into coverage against zone. Looks fast with the ball in his hands. Ohio State gave him the occasional screen pass, but he doesn’t make a ton of defenders miss or run with a ton of power.

Would like to see him show a little bit more urgency as a blocker. Tate missed some time due to an unspecified lower-body injury this past season.

Summary

A tall, long-limbed receiver with the speed and explosiveness to win down the field, who offers a big target with impressive focus and hands to come down with off-target throws and contested catches.

Those traits should make Tate an early starting split end for a pro team. Looks like a good bet to be the first or second receiver off the board on draft day, likely within the top five or top 10 picks.

Projection: Round 1