2026 NFL Draft landing spots for Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

Few things in life are certain. Death, taxes and first-round wide receivers from Ohio State are a few of them.

Since 2022, the Buckeyes have had at least one wide receiver selected in the first round of the NFL draft. In 2022, it was Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave at No. 10 and No. 11 overall. In 2023, it was Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20. Marvin Harrison Jr. went No. 4 overall in 2024 and Emeka Egbuka was selected No. 19 overall in 2025.

That Columbus pipeline is set for another stop in 2026 with Carnell Tate.

Tate took on a bigger role after Egbuka's jump to the NFL and showed why he should be a top pick in the NFL draft. He doesn't have elite speed but wins vertically thanks to his standout contested catch abilities. Drops are not a concern with Tate; he had zero drops on 66 targets in 2025, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

That mix of traits and production at college football's highest levels will make him a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It'd be a surprise to see him fall outside of the first 15 selections as one of the top wide receivers in the class this year.

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But some places would be better than others. Here are five NFL fits for Carnell Tate in the 2026 NFL Draft:

Carnell Tate's best NFL fitsNew York Giants

This fit is pretty popular. Giving a young quarterback a big-bodied, sure-handed wide receiver has worked out in other places (look no further than Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins). New York wouldn't need Tate to be the primary target in the passing game thanks to Malik Nabers returning from injury. Instead, he'd be a stellar No. 2 target who could challenge teams vertically as they attempt to stymie Nabers' dynamic playmaking in open space.

New York has a new offensive coordinator in Matt Nagy for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. At No. 5 overall, this makes sense given the combination of need and skillset in the Giants' pass-catching group.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints selected Olave in 2022 and could go back to the Buckeyes well again for another top wideout. Like New York, New Orleans has a second-year quarterback who could take a step in 2026 with the right talent around him. The Saints spent in free agency to upgrade the offensive line and running back, leaving wide receiver to be addressed via the draft.

Olave's injury history makes him a question mark for 2026. He missed half the season in 2024 and sat out the Saints' 2025 finale with a blood clot issue. Tate dealt with a nagging calf injury that affected him in 2024 and 2025. His injury history isn't spotless but he'd be an injection of talent into a pass-catching corps that desperately needs it.

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Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels looks set to return from a down year in 2025 behind a solid offensive line in 2026. He'll need more targets to throw to and Tate could be a great fit for him. Daniels' deep ball is one of his best attributes, and Tate's contested-catch acumen and sure hands would make a good fit.

Washington invested in the position in free agency but not enough to preclude it from taking Tate at No. 7 overall. Van Jefferson and Dyami Brown aren't similar enough in their skillsets to keep Washington from making the call if he's there. Tate could spend 2026 working into a bigger role alongside an aging Terry McLaurin (another former Buckeye) before taking on a larger role in 2027.

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City's offense lacked explosiveness in 2025 and the team addressed that at running back by signing Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency as well as Emari Demercado. The wide receiver room was left mostly untouched, though.

The Chiefs have speed with Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton and could use a ball-winner like Tate to make the most of Patrick Mahomes' deep passes once he returns from injury. Kansas City could opt against that move, considering the young players they have on the roster right now at the position in Worthy, Rashee Rice and Jalen Royals, but he's a longer downfield target than all of them.

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Miami Dolphins

Miami traded away its best receiver to the Denver Broncos, leaving the room pretty decimated for free-agent signee Malik Willis and new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert haven't even been No. 2 options in a passing game and it'd be a big ask out of 2024 sixth-round pick Malik Washington to be the primary guy in the passing game.

Regardless of whether the Dolphins end up sticking with Willis long-term or bottoming out for a top pick in 2027, Tate would be a great addition to the offense. Willis' arm strength should see the Dolphins push the ball deep more often and, like he would with the Commanders, Tate's skills would be a great way to maximize the quarterback's abilities. Miami may have more pressing needs to address at No. 11, which is the only reason they'd overlook Tate.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carnell Tate's best fits: Giants, Saints among NFL draft landing spots