Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before the NFC Wild Card Game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Los Angeles Rams have plenty of reasons for concern following the latest news about allegations against wide receiver Puka Nacua, which could make a target like now-former Ohio State Buckeyes star Carnell Tate an intriguing option.
Tate has a similar physical profile to Nacua, but offers a different skill set than the Rams star.
That could make the 2023 national champion a fit alongside Nacua or a replacement for him if the Rams ultimately decide to part ways.
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GettyCarnell Tate #17 of the Ohio State Buckeyes seen in action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers.
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur projected the Rams would select Tate, but not at their current slot at 13th overall. Instead, Tafur calls for another offseason trade, this time with the Cincinnati Bengals, who hold the 10th overall pick.
The Rams already made one blockbuster trade, landing Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. Tafur also pointed to some of the other trade rumors around the Rams this offseason.
“The Rams are all-in, and while they couldn’t get the Eagles to trade them A.J. Brown, this move might even be better,” Tafur wrote on March 25. “They give up the No. 13 pick and a third-rounder to nab the best receiver in the draft.”
Here is how Tafur’s trade idea broke down:
Rams get:
2026 draft pick (No. 10 overall)
Bengals get:
2026 draft pick (No. 13 overall)
Third-round pick
The Rams have been linked to other receiver options in the draft, adding to the reasons that Tate could make sense if they can position themselves to land him.
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GettyCarnell Tate #17 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines.
Tate measured in at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, and he ran a 4.53 at the combine. But it is what Tate has shown on the field that could make him appealing to the Rams.
“Tate stepped into a full-time role in 2025 and surpassed expectations that were already high,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in February, ranking the wideout 10th overall and the top at his position. “He builds his speed to be a dynamic playmaker downfield, while also showing the technical know-how to uncover on short-to-intermediate routes. He is an outstanding tracker of the football and consistently owns the catch point, regardless of placement.
Brugler argued Tate “is going to be a playmaking Z receiver in the NFL.”
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Tate to former Buckeyes star and current New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave. Olave has logged 1,000-plus yards in three of his four seasons in the NFL, and had his other campaign cut short due to injuries.
Tate had 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons for the Buckeyes, helping them win the national championship in 2024.
“Ascending ‘Z’ receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks. He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst,” Zierlein wrote.
“Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking.”
Zierlein added, “Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.”
Rams WR Room Questioned
Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
GettyDavante Adams #17 and Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams make their way back to the huddle against the Houston Texans.
While the Rams may not have any plans to move on from Nacua, Tate could still fill vital roles in LA in 2026 and beyond. ESPN’s Benjamin Solak “didn’t love” the Rams doing “nothing at receiver … yet.”
“I don’t think they need a splash so much as they need security. The Rams’ receiver duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams dominates target share when on the field: Nacua led all receivers last season with a 37% target rate on routes run, and Adams was 14th at 27%,” Solak wrote after praising LA’s aggressiveness on March 25.
“The Rams need a WR3 who can shoulder the load for a month should Nacua or Adams get banged up.”
Both Adams and Nacua missed time this past season due to injuries.
Whether Tate is the ideal target or the Rams are willing to trade up to acquire him remains the great unknown. But with Nacua’s current situation, Adams being on the wrong side of 30, and both on expiring contracts, a target like Tate would make sense for the Rams this offseason.