Overlooked Ohio State star lands with former teammate in way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft
Ohio State has a ladder that wide receivers often have to work their way up unless they’re Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes stay loaded at the position, so usage often goes up for players as they grow. That is the case for Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, who had a breakout year in 2024 as […]
Ohio State has a ladder that wide receivers often have to work their way up unless they’re Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes stay loaded at the position, so usage often goes up for players as they grow.
That is the case for Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, who had a breakout year in 2024 as the Buckeyes’ third option. Tate was the next target to Smith and Emeka Egbuka, so he often saw favorable matchups with the defense.
Next season, Tate is set to be the No. 2 option for Ohio State alongside Smith. With Egbuka off to the NFL, Tate is set to have a bigger role with the Buckeyes before eventually heading off to the NFL himself.
Carnell Tate teams up with Marvin Harrison Jr. with the Arizona Cardinals in 2026 NFL mock draft
With pick No. 15 in a ridiculously early 2026 NFL mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected Tate to pair with Harrison Jr. to make a Buckeye duo on their offense. Adding Tate would give the Cardinals another player who can win as a router runner and get open at every level of the field.
“Carnell Tate emerged in 2024 as the WR3 for Ohio State alongside generational talent Jeremiah Smith and 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick Emeka Egbuka. This fall he should slide right into the 100+ target role as the outside wide receiver opposite Smith and quickly ascend to clear first-round status. In this scenario he joins his former Ohio State teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. as they create a dynamic duo for the Cardinals.” — Travis May, A to Z Sports
Tate recorded 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns for the Buckeyes in 2024. Harrison Jr. and Tate were both a part of the 2023 Ohio State team. The Chicago native caught seven passes for 87 yards in the Cotton Bowl against Texas. It was a big-time game for Tate when the Longhorns made it a point to limit Smith.
There is still at least one more season that Tate needs to stay in college. With another strong season, don’t be surprised if Tate is off to the NFL after recording 1,000 yards. It would be an unreal story if this draft scenario played out.
Ohio State HC Ryan Day reveals how the team felt about Kyle McCord transferring away from Columbus
He was the starter for a year.
