The 2026 NFL Draft isn’t viewed as a particularly deep class, overall, but wide receiver might be the exception, especially at the top of the board.
Between Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and USC’s Makai Lemon, there are legitimate instant impact playmakers to be had at the top of the board at receiver later this month.
NFL Draft 2026: Why NFL teams are so high on Carnell Tate
NFL Draft
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Tate, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, stands above the rest of a really talented class, though, according to multiple NFL evaluators.
Last season, Tate caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns, and will likely be the first receiver to hear his name called by commissioner Roger Goodell early on during the NFL Draft.
According to Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema, it’s easy to see why.
“He consistently maximizes that length,” Sikkema writes for PFF, of Tate’s frame. “Attacking the ball in the air and producing strong catch rates both in contested situations and on routine targets. Tate primarily aligned as an “X” or “Z” receiver in Ohio State’s offense, in part due to his reliable technique and consistent effort as a blocker, evidenced by zero penalties across his career.
“He displays a high level of football IQ as a route runner, winning with detail and precision. That shows up in 90th-percentile separation metrics both overall and against single coverage.”
In a league where precision and physical dominance are the twin pillars of success, Tate’s rare combination of elite separation and refined technique makes him the “can’t-miss” prospect of the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Any team looking for a true WR1 won’t just be drafting a high-ceiling athlete, but a pro-ready technician capable of transforming an entire passing attack from Day 1.
New York Giants, Carnell Tate, NFL Draft
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a catch for a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.