Carnell Tate might be the man to finally fix Chiefs’ wide receiver woes

The Kansas City Chiefs have proven very effectively over the last three years that a team doesn’t have to have a dominant wide receiver to be a dynasty. However, they’ve had some help in that dynasty with still top-end tight end talent and a consistently good defense. Well, now that tight end might not be the same player—or even on the team. The defense has questions going into 2026. If the Chiefs are going to return to greatness, they need to land a new top playmaker.

This time last year, the idea was that Rashee Rice was going to be that player. However, he hasn’t really been able to return to the hot streak he started 2024 with. No question that recovering from a major knee injury is part of that, but there hasn’t been a ton of development with his usage or route running either. Add in off-field questions, and Rice is still a question mark with one year remaining in Kansas City. Xavier Worthy had an injury-filled year, but he also hasn’t taken the step you’d like to see.

The Chiefs consistently struggled to beat man coverage all season. This isn’t just a personnel problem; it’s also a scheme issue. However, it would help if the Chiefs had more size and players who are plus ball-winners. Enter Carnell Tate.

Make sure to bookmark the Arrowhead Addict Big Board for a custom draft big board tailored towards the Chiefs needs.

NFL Draft Profile: Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Age: 21 (by draft day)

Height: 6-3

Weight: 195 LBS

Tape Exposure: Texas (2024 and 2025), Penn State

Shades of: George Pickens

Carnell Tate Background

A consensus five-star recruit, Tate attended the prestigious IMG Academy in Florida. Tate hails from Chicago, where his mother kept him out of trouble in a difficult area. She helped him focus on football and eventually transfer to IMG in Florida. Tate received over 37 scholarship offers as the No. 22 prospect in the nation and the No. 3 receiver in his class. He committed to Ohio State in 2022.

Tate remained very close to his mother throughout school until she was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in Chicago in July of 2023. This was a major moment in Tate’s life and drives him as a player.

Tate played alongside the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jeremiah Smith for most of his time at Ohio State. Despite that fact—and other very talented skill players—he still logged 1,835 yards and 14 touchdowns in his three seasons for the Buckeyes.

What Makes Tate WR1?

Refinement

It’s impossible not to helmet-scout a player like Tate after watching the stream of Ohio State wide receivers in the league. Brian Hartline’s magic shows with Tate, too. He’s such a savvy route runner who understands leverage, releases, and the pacing of his routes. His feel for zone coverage is excellent. He truly makes the position look easy at times.

Body Size and Control

At 6-3 and just under 200 lbs, Tate has a frame that’s big enough to live on the outside and over the middle of the field. He runs a healthy amount of slants, crosses, and digs that expose him to hits. Tate is so good down the field, whether it’s generating that last step of separation or gearing down immediately to make a cut, that he’s phenomenal at using his frame. Via PFF, Tate has zero drops in 2025 and ranks in the 100th percentile in contested catches. Tate is a ball-winner.

Blocking

It’s not often you see blocking listed as a key strength of a receiver, but Tate has earned it. He’s sealed off the edge for great backs over the years and in the screen game, too. He’ll even be played off the line of scrimmage, reduced inside like a tight end. He’s also good at looking for work downfield against linebackers and safeties.

Concerns for Tate

Yards after Catch

Tate is explosive down the field but not necessarily a threat after the catch. His long speed is very good, and his ball tracking helps him win in that area, but he’s not overly shifty or powerful with the ball in his hands.

Play Strength

Despite his length, Tate can be moved off his spot by more physical and powerful corners. He can be displaced through his routes by some of the best competition he’s faced, and it also limits his ability to draw penalties, as he doesn’t play through contact particularly well.

Is he an Alpha?

Tate is likely headed to be a top-10 pick. Is he on the same level as Malik Nabers, Ja’Marr Chase, Drake London, or Garrett Wilson? Tate has a very high floor as a prospect, but when you spend a top-10 pick on a receiver, you’re measured by ceiling as much as floor. Tate was never the alpha at Ohio State (understandably). Can he be that in an NFL offense?

Is Carnell Tate the Perfect Chiefs Receiver?

Carnell Tate possesses many traits the Chiefs like in a receiver. In a way, he has some traits that the Chiefs once gambled on in Tyquan Thornton. He’s not as much of a home-run threat with long speed, but he’s much better at the catch point. Most importantly, Tate consistently wins against man coverage with route running, size, and ball skills. We know the Chiefs constantly prioritize speed and separation at the receiver position; Tate has that, but is also a plus at the catch point.

Carnell Tate is a refined receiver prospect who possesses great tools to win at all levels of the field. His ball tracking, route running, and hands are elite. He projects as a high-level No. 2 receiver and, with growth, a true WR1.

Round Grade: Blue Chip (top 10 pick)