Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, consistently the player who has been given to the New York Giants most often in mock drafts prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, has a simple message for NFL teams.
“If you want a game-changer, you got one right here,” Tate said during his podium session Saturday morning at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Tate, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, is expected to be the first wide receiver selected in the draft. After catching 51 passes for 875 yards (17.2 yards per reception) and nine touchdowns in 2025, Tate isn’t shy about telling anyone what he believes he is capable of.
“I can do it all. Route running — I was able to flip DBs all throughout the season and run past them,” he said. “Catching, route running, blocking. I’ve got the mindset of the best in the draft class. I got the route running, I’m able to manipulate DBs, catch over defenders, sideline awareness, blocking — whatever you need, I got.”
Tate didn’t hesitate when asked who the best wide receiver in the 2026 draft class is.
“Me, no questions,” he said. “I bring it all to the table.
“I think my game brings it all to the table. I got the contested catch. I got that route running, and I also bring the run game, like a lot of receivers don’t do that. So I’m able to impact the game with or without the ball in my hands.”
What the Giants need at wide receiver is a player who can be ‘Robin’ in support of star receiver Malik Nabers in the ‘Batman’ role. Tate is familiar with that as he has never been the No. 1 receiver for the Buckeyes. In 2023, Ohio State had Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. In 2024, Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith were the top targets. In 2025, Smith was clearly Ohio State’s WR1.
Tate and two Ohio State teammates, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs, are among the players who could be drafted by the Giants at No. 5. Tate would not mind sharing the New York City spotlight with Nabers.
“I came from playing with another receiver — to go out there and play along another receiver, it would be a great opportunity,” Tate said. “Especially playing in New York, big showcase. I’d love to go out there and play in New York.”
Tate said he will only run the 40-yard dash on Saturday during on-field workouts.
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