Carnell Tate NFL Draft Profile - Rookie Film Analysis

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Film Profile | Analytical Profile​

Prospect Information​

College: Ohio State
Height/Weight: 6'2"/192
Hands: 10 1/4"
Age: 21 (at the time of the 2026 season opener)

Important NFL Combine/Pro Day Numbers​

40-Yard Dash: 4.53
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone: N/A

College Production (Stats)​

Profiles similar to: Josh Reynolds

Plays similar to: Rome Odunze

Position-Specific Attributes and Grades​

Attribute​	Grade​
Ball Tracking	9.5 (10)
Contested Catch/Body Control	9.5 (10)
Hands	10.0 (10)
Release	7.0 (10)
Route-Running	8.5 (10)
Run After Catch	7.0 (10)
Physicality/Competitiveness	7.0 (8)
Separation	4.5 (6)
Speed	2.5 (4)
Blocking	1.5 (2)
Film Grade	67.0 (80)

Note: my usual format (citing examples for each attribute) does not display well on the site. Please click this link to access them.

Positives​

• Possesses some the biggest hands of any receiver (second behind USC's Ja'Kobi Lane) in this draft and some of the most dependable (zero drops on 66 targets in 2025); repeatedly catches the ball without letting it get into his body.
• As good as any receiver in this draft class in terms of tracking the ball without slowing down to do it.
• Ridiculous success rate on contested catches (12-of-14 in 2025).
• One of the best in this draft class at working back to his quarterback; has also seemingly mastered the art of the sideline catch.
• Lack of elite speed does not seem to affect his ability to get behind a defender; caught 11-of-17 targets on throws over 20 yards in 2025 and turned six of them into touchdowns (five of his nine TDs for the season went for more than 40 yards).
• Youngest receiver available in the draft (will not turn 22 until after the regular season is over) who is also a tenacious blocker and imposes his will on the defender; was a key component in his offense springing several long runs last season.

Negatives​

• More of a build-up speed receiver than a natural burner; was never expected to run fast at the Combine, but his timed speed (4.53) in Indy was still a bit of a disappointment for a lighter receiver.
• Lanky frame makes him a poor bet to excel early against press/physical coverage.
• Career 4.8 yards after the catch says a lot about how little he does with the ball in his hands after the reception.
• Needs to be more aware of the clues he gives defenders at the top of his route; his shoulder level tends to rise when he is about to break.
• Has a tendency to take extra steps at the top of his stem, which contributes to him rounding off too many of his routes.
• While blocking is a strength in terms of his willingness to do it, his hand placement could stand some improvement.

Bottom Line​

It has been an argument made for Ohio State receivers for several years: if a player can earn targets despite playing alongside Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, then he has already proven his worthiness as a pro prospect. However, such an argument can be a double-edged sword. Did he earn the targets based on his own merit? Or did he benefit from being the third-most important receiver that opponents had to plan for each week? While each is a legitimate question, there are at least a few areas of his game that will endear him to his next team right away. Despite the lack of elite speed, he could easily emerge as his team's best deep threat almost immediately. While NFL corners will undoubtedly enjoy more success against him downfield than their college counterparts, his 68.8% contested-catch win rate for his career speaks volumes. He tracks the ball exceptionally well and does a fine job of timing his jump. He may have the strongest hands in this draft class, which show up repeatedly on contested catches and along the sideline when receivers have no choice but to catch the ball with their hands as they also try to keep their feet inbounds.

Much as the case was with Egbuka last season, there will usually be questions about a receiver who was never his team's primary threat in college being one in the NFL. The other reasons are probably more what NFL front offices are discussing: there is not a long list of receivers who have enjoyed success in the league with his combination of height, weight and speed. As is usually the case with slight-framed receivers, he doesn't offer much after the catch. While NFL teams can be reassured that he has been coached as well as any wideout (former position coach Brian Hartline has turned Ohio State into a NFL receiver factory over the years), Tate still needs some technical work on his routes to be a consistent threat in the short and intermediate areas of the field at the next level. However, it certainly helps his cause that he is the youngest receiver available in the draft. As a player three years removed from high school, there is a case to be made the best is yet to come for him. Although it would be a mistake to hope he will join Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as Buckeye alums who are their NFL team's alpha receivers, Tate is certainly capable (in time) of being a very good complementary receiver and his team's primary deep threat.


This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Carnell Tate NFL Draft Profile - Rookie Film Analysis

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