I really don't think Tate is going to be a #1 in the NFL. To me, he looks like a great #2 that will catch the ball.
If this was other years, he would probably be drafted late in the first or second round.
He is a great #2 to Jeremiah Smith, but JS is going to enter the league like Ja'Marr Chase did. He is generational, which is why Tate might "look" a little less when seeing them on the field together. However, Carnell Tate is equal or better than many of the receivers that have recently come into the draft. He is a better prospect than Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was drafted #20 overall because he was in a loaded draft class. He was the first of four receivers taken in his draft in the first round.
Curious question, what in his game leads you to being a #2 receiver?
If this were other years, he would be exactly where he is today. He is a top WR candidate, which barring prospects like Jeremiah Smith or Ja'Marr Chase, he would still be in the talk as the best receiver in his class coming out.
First WR off the board the last ten years:
2025 Tet McMillan #8, Tate is rated higher
2024 Marvin Harrison Jr. drafted #4 overall, Tate would have been #3 receiver in 2024, Nabers was 2nd receiver drafted at #6 overall and Tate is rated just below him, both predicted year 1 starter.
2023 Jaxon Smith-Njigba #20, Tate is rated higher
2022 Drake London #8, Tate is rated higher
2021 Ja'Marr Chase#5, pretty obvious, Jaylen Waddle #6 was top ten pick #2 receiver, Tate is on par with Waddle
2020 Henry Ruggs #12 and Jerry Jeudy #15 were the first two WRs, Tate is rated much higher
2019 Bad draft class, but Tate would unquestionably be the top receiver in this draft, best of the class was Marquise Browns #25 overall
2018 Another bad draft, DJ Moore #24 was the first WR taken, but was rated much lower than Tate
2017 Corey Davis drafted #5 overall, Tate is rated higher
2016 Corey Coleman #15 was the first WR drafted, Tate is rated higher
All of these receivers were taken mid first or higher. All of those of those rated higher than him went top ten, many he is rated higher than still went top ten.
In this case, which I know it happens a lot, we don't have rose colored glasses on a Buckeye. He deserves the accolades he is getting. Having Smith and Tate on the field at the same time was a blessing for OSU, but it did take away individual stats. Tate is one of the best WR prospects of the last ten years.
