Mel Kiper Jr. joins the chorus linking Saints to dynamic 2026 draft WR

[ASFN Admin]

Count ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. among the number of analysts and fans calling for the New Orleans Saints to pick Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate in the 2026 NFL Draft. A third of the post-free agency mock drafts we surveyed earlier in the week had the Saints drafting Tate, and now Kiper has added his voice to that chorus. It's easy to see why. Outside of Chris Olave, the Saints just don't have any proven weapons in the wide receiver corps. Here's why Kiper is so high on Tate, who he linked to New Orleans with the eighth overall pick in his latest 2026 mock draft:

The Saints' main signings have come on offense -- guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne Jr. -- and that's also where I'd expect them to look during the draft. They need to surround second-year quarterback Tyler Shough with as much talent as possible, and the No. 2 wide receiver on the roster is Devaughn Vele (25 receptions last season). Tate brings a well-rounded scouting report, with solid route running and the ability to come down with tough catches thanks to his hands and body control. He'd be great opposite Chris Olave -- yet another excellent receiver to come out of Ohio State in recent years.

Tate expanded his role in Ohio State's offense and got better year over year; initially catching 18 of 28 passes for 264 yards, a touchdown, and 11 first downs in 2023, he broke out with 52 catches on 67 targets for 733 yards, 35 first downs, and four touchdowns in 2024. Then he leveled up as a downfield target in 2025, going 51-of-66 for 875 yards, 35 first downs, and nine touchdowns. He was dominant on contest catches, improving year over year from 4-of-8, to 6-of-10, to 12-of-14 last season.

But he's more than a possession receiver. The Buckeyes asked Tate to attack further downfield last year with an average depth of target at 14.6 yards (compared to 11.3 yards in 2024). While he caught the same number of passes and converted the same number of first downs, Tate averaged 17.2 yards per catch compared to 14.1 the year before. He doubled his touchdown catches, too.

While Tate did well against man coverage, which you'd expect from his size (6-foot-2, 192 pounds, 78-inch wingspan), he was one of college football's most productive receivers against zone. With NFL defenses playing zone coverage on almost 75% of their reps, it's important to establish a baseline for getting open and making plays in situations prospects will see most often. Tate's passer rating against zone coverage (148.2) is third-best in this draft class.

So, yes, if Tate's available at eighth overall he would be a good fit for New Orleans. His ability to win tough catches and find openings in zone coverage would give the Saints something they're missing. Taking pressure off Olave and Shough has to be a priority. Even if the Saints don't draft a reeceiver in the first round, the position must be addressed in the 2026 draft.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. links Saints, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

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