Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets have four picks inside the top 44 selections, starting with No. 2 overall to go with picks 16, 33, and 44.
Of those picks, one will likely be used to land a wide receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. And of their potential options, the Jets apparently "really like" Carnell Tate out of Ohio State.
But that same report from ESPN's Matt Miller also revealed that the Jets are not likely to draft Tate thanks to one reason: the team's quarterback situation.
Jets not likely to take Carnell Tate for QB reasons
"... although I did hear that the Jets really like (Carnell) Tate and would consider him if the team was better set at quarterback," Miller writes.
Despite having a clear interest in the Ohio State Buckeyes receiver, the Jets are not likely to go with a receiver at No. 2 overall, and Tate likely won't be there at 16th overall.
If he did somehow fall to that second first-round selection of the Jets, he would be a no-brainer for the Jets. But such a scenario is incredibly unlikely to happen.
The Jets are not likely to take Tate, and it's thanks in part to the major question mark at the quarterback position.
Geno Smith isn't the worst bridge quarterback, but when it comes to being the franchise guy, the Jets do not have a solution there.
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If they had such a franchise QB, then Tate might've been much more in play with the second pick as he'd be a bigger force multiplier than he would be right now with shaky QB play.
Instead, the Jets are more likely to go for one of Arvell Reese or David Bailey with the second pick. Tate could be an option if the Jets trade down a bit, but that's not a likely scenario either.
Tate, who had 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Buckeyes, would be a great receiver to pair with Wilson in the Jets' offense.
But thanks to their shaky quarterback room, the Jets are not likely to take Tate despite the team reportedly "really liking" the Ohio State wide receiver.
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