Carnell Tate Scouting Report: The Sleeper WR1 in the 2026 Dynasty Class?

Carnell Tate has spent his Ohio State career surrounded by titans like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith, often flying under the radar as a result. But make no mistake: this five-star recruit is a polished, NFL-ready weapon who demands your attention. In this episode of the CouchScouts podcast, we break down why Tate might just be the safest bet in your upcoming dynasty rookie drafts.

Episode Timestamps:

• 02:25 – The Profile: Production context within a loaded Ohio State WR room.

• 06:40 – Release & Route Running: Does he have the nuance to separate at the next level?

• 14:00 – Ball Skills: Why this is his single most elite trait.

• 25:25 – Athleticism & YAC: Analyzing his game speed vs. tackle-breaking ability.

• 33:20 – The Verdict: Final film grades and dynasty outlook.

Technical Refinement: Route Running & Release

Carnell Tate is a technician who wins with suddenness and nuance rather than brute force. We assigned him a 7/10 for release and an 8/10 for route running, noting his explosive first step and ability to manipulate defenders deep downfield. He excels on double moves—specifically slant-and-gos—where he uses heavy steps to freeze defensive backs before accelerating past them.

However, physicality remains a concern. At a listed 195 lbs, Tate struggles against physical press coverage. His hand fighting at the line of scrimmage needs development, as he can get jammed up by aggressive corners. While he isn't the most physical receiver (graded 6/10 for physicality), his footwork and burst allow him to create consistent separation, particularly in the intermediate and deep areas of the field.

Elite Ball Skills: The "Magnet" Hands

If there is one reason to draft Carnell Tate, it is his ability to attack the football. This was a unanimous high-point in our evaluation, with Tate earning near-elite grades (9/10) in hands, contested catch, and body control.

Tate possesses a massive catch radius for his 6'3" frame and attacks the ball at the high point with "hands of steel." Whether it’s a back-shoulder fade, a shoestring catch on a slant, or a contested ball on the boundary, if it is catchable, Tate comes down with it. We did not chart a single drop or missed catchable target across a five-game sample size. He tracks the ball effortlessly and has the body control to tap toes along the sideline, making him a quarterback's best friend.

Athleticism vs. YAC: Smooth but not Elusive

Tate is a smooth strider with deceptive speed, earning an 8.5/10 for game speed and burst. He moves effortlessly in and out of breaks, often surprising defenders with his ability to get on top of them vertically.

The limitation in his game lies in Yards After Catch (YAC). We graded him at a 6/10 for YAC ability. While he has the straight-line speed to take a slant to the house if he gets a step, he is not a tackle-breaker. He rarely makes defenders miss in the open field and typically goes down on first contact. He is a possession and deep-threat receiver, not a gadget player you rely on to create offense out of thin air.

The Verdict

Carnell Tate is a high-floor prospect with a Composite Film Grade of 80.3, placing him firmly in the "Elite Fantasy Producer" tier. While he may lack the raw tackle-breaking power of a YAC monster, his elite ball skills and polished route running make him a projected mid-to-high first-round NFL Draft pick and a cornerstone asset for dynasty teams.

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