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Before April's 2026 NFL Draft, almost every fan and analyst predicted the Washington Commanders would make a significant move at wide receiver. The name most often linked to Washington was Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
The Commanders did end with a Buckeye at No. 7 overall, selecting linebacker Sonny Styles. However, Tate wasn't an option, as he went No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans. The pick was a shock. Tate going in the top 10 was not a surprise. But many believed his ceiling was at No. 6 with the Cleveland Browns.
Even Tate was surprised he went No. 4. In his gut, Tate thought he was "locked in" with the Commanders.
"No, I didn't know I was going to go that early," Tate told Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown on the St. Brown Podcast.
"We thought my draft started at four — and then 4 to 15 — but realistically, I thought I was gonna go 6, 7, or 8.
Was he shocked?
"I was shocked, for real," Tate responded. "I didn’t expect to go that high. And then it happened, and I was like, ‘Damn, let’s go play ball now.''
Tate then mentioned the teams he believed were most interested in him.
"I thought Cleveland, I thought they weren’t gonna pass up on me, and also the Commanders. So, I think I was locked in with the Commanders. And then they were saying, ‘Oh, the Chiefs, you’re not gonna get past them; if you’re there at No. 9, they’re gonna take you.’ But I thought I was going to the Commanders."
Things worked out well for Tate and the Commanders. Tate was the first wide receiver chosen and goes to a team that also has a young quarterback in Cam Ward. Meanwhile, Washington found a defensive centerpiece in Styles, later adding Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams to pair with Terry McLaurin as weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate was shocked he went No. 4
Continue reading...
The Commanders did end with a Buckeye at No. 7 overall, selecting linebacker Sonny Styles. However, Tate wasn't an option, as he went No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans. The pick was a shock. Tate going in the top 10 was not a surprise. But many believed his ceiling was at No. 6 with the Cleveland Browns.
Even Tate was surprised he went No. 4. In his gut, Tate thought he was "locked in" with the Commanders.
"No, I didn't know I was going to go that early," Tate told Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown on the St. Brown Podcast.
"We thought my draft started at four — and then 4 to 15 — but realistically, I thought I was gonna go 6, 7, or 8.
Was he shocked?
"I was shocked, for real," Tate responded. "I didn’t expect to go that high. And then it happened, and I was like, ‘Damn, let’s go play ball now.''
Tate then mentioned the teams he believed were most interested in him.
"I thought Cleveland, I thought they weren’t gonna pass up on me, and also the Commanders. So, I think I was locked in with the Commanders. And then they were saying, ‘Oh, the Chiefs, you’re not gonna get past them; if you’re there at No. 9, they’re gonna take you.’ But I thought I was going to the Commanders."
Things worked out well for Tate and the Commanders. Tate was the first wide receiver chosen and goes to a team that also has a young quarterback in Cam Ward. Meanwhile, Washington found a defensive centerpiece in Styles, later adding Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams to pair with Terry McLaurin as weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate was shocked he went No. 4
Continue reading...
