Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Getty
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate.
The Cleveland Browns will face a tough decision if Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate falls past the New York Giants at pick No. 5 in the first round of April’s NFL draft.
Cleveland desperately needs to rebuild its offensive line, potentially replacing all five starters from last year’s unit that finished ranked 31st, based on Pro Football Focus’s advanced metrics.
That has led to considerable speculation throughout league circles and national media that general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Todd Monken will consider drafting two starting linemen, either two tackles or one tackle and one guard, with the Nos. 6 and 24 picks in Round 1.
But the Browns also need real help in the wide receiver room, and Tate is the No. 1 prospect at the position on most draft boards given the lingering hamstring issue plaguing the more explosive and athletic Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State.
Tate, who spent the last three seasons catching passes for the Buckeyes, spoke at the combine about the prospect of remaining in Ohio and playing his professional football in Cleveland.
“I had a great meeting with the Browns,” Tate said. “It’ll mean a lot to stay in Ohio. … And then I could go up there, see all my guys out there at Ohio State. And I know Ohio State fans love [the] Cleveland Browns, so why not?”
Carnell Tate Has NFL Ceiling as ‘Heralded Pro’
Carnell Tate
GettyOhio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
Tate tallied 52 receptions for 733 receiving yards and four touchdowns across 15 games played for Ohio State in 2024, helping the Buckeyes capture a national championship that season.
His numbers improved last year, when he hauled in 51 catches for 875 yards and nine scores in just 11 games played.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com asserted that Tate’s best NFL comp is Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints, also a former Buckeye who earned second-team All-Pro honors during his fourth professional season in 2025 after tallying 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards and nine TDs.
“Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking,” Zierlein wrote. “Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.”
Browns Have Little Talent, Depth in Wide Receiver Room Behind Jerry Jeudy
Cleveland Browns
GettyCleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
Draft analysts who don’t project the Browns to take an offensive tackle at No. 6 most frequently name Tate is the team’s likely selection there.
“Cleveland would likely take its pick of the entire WR class and kick the can down the order on the OL,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. wrote last week in his most recent mock draft. “Tate is at the top of the receiver list right now, with great hands and savvy route running. Cleveland wideouts combined for just four touchdowns last season … so Tate could step in as the top option for the Browns.”
A calf strain cost Tate three games last season, and his 40-yard dash time came in officially at 4.52/4.53, which is slightly slower than ideal. That said, he turned just 21 years old in January and would add vital talent and depth to a WR room in Cleveland that doesn’t have too much of either to speak of behind current No. 1 option Jerry Jeudy.