There has been some buzz building over the last few weeks that the Dallas Cowboys could ignore defense at pick No. 12 and simply take the best player available. That would be a bold decision, especially if the best player on the board happens to be a wide receiver, the one spot on the roster that feels settled right now.
Ohio State's Carnell Tate has widely been viewed as the top receiver prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft and it’s not hard to see why. With ideal size and reliable hands, he profiles as an outside receiver who could be even better in the NFL.
But how would he fit in with Dallas? And is he even worth considering at pick No. 12? Let’s dive into the scouting report of this former Buckeye star heading into the 2026 Draft:
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleHeight: 6021
Weight: 195 pounds
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.52
Recruiting: 5-star recruit, No. 22 player nationally. No. 3 ranked wide receiver
College Production: 39 career games, 121 receptions for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns. Averaged 17.2 yards per reception during 2025 season (51 receptions).
Positives:
- Prototype size and length for No. 1 receiver. He knows how to utilize that size against smaller defenders.
- Explodes off the line of scrimmage with very little wasted movement.
- Strong hands at the catch point. Doesn’t drop passes (Zero drops in 2025 via Pro Football Focus).
- Has improved each season in college. Best football might still be ahead of him.
- Massive catch radius and has no problem snagging the ball out of the air and above his head.
- Willing blocker in the run game. Uses sizes and length to overwhelm smaller corners on the outside.
- Might be the best contested catch receiver in the entire draft.
- Very polished route runner coming out of college.
Negatives:
- Not overly dynamic after the catch. Averaged just 4.5 yards after the catch/reception during the 2025 season.
- Just an average overall athlete. Speed is fine (4.48), but he isn’t going to routinely run past defensive backs.
- Mostly used as an outside receiver at Ohio State. Might not be the best fit in the slot for certain teams.
- Benefited from playing opposite Jeremiah Smith and saw the lesser cornerbacks from opponents in most matchups.
Carnell Tate NFL Player Comparison: Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Davante Adams has never been the fastest receiver in the NFL, but he is a route running savant with above average size. Tate is a very similar prospect and should have no problem handling a big target load in the NFL. And with his long arms and strong hands, he should develop into a consistent red zone demon at the next level.
Carnell Tate Fit With Dallas Cowboys:
There are two ways to look at the fit for Tate with the Dallas Cowboys, and that’s with and without George Pickens. With Pickens, Tate would be the Z-receiver in three-receiver sets, and it would allow Lamb to occupy the slot full-time. His usage would be sporadic, but he would be more than fine on the outside and should be able to beat one-on-one coverage consistently.
But without Pickens, he would fill the X-receiver role and would give the Cowboys a more consistent route runner at that position. He’s not the same caliber of athlete as Pickens and he won’t deliver as many “splash” plays after the catch, but he can be a reliable outside receiver who Dak Prescott could fall in love with. Both fits are strong, but the easier projection is with him and Lamb operating as the top-two receivers moving forward.
Carnell Tate NFL Draft Grade: Top-10 Selection
Tate is a well-polished prospect with ideal size and reliable hands. He comes from a school that routinely produces superstars at the position, and because he played alongside Jeremiah Smith (and Emeka Egbuka in 2024), his overall numbers are less-than-ideal for a top-10 pick.
However, he is an outstanding prospect that should be a top-10 pick in just about every draft. His ability to play multiple positions and run every route makes him one of the safest players in this year's draft.