The New York Giants have several different routes to consider at the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the latest NFL Combine news and rumors thrust Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate back into the spotlight.
“I came from playing with another [great] wide receiver, [so] to go out there and play alongside another [top] receiver, that’d be a great opportunity, especially playing in New York,” Tate told reporters on February 27, when asked about the Giants as a potential landing spot.
New York Post insider Paul Schwartz relayed a video of the quote on X, in which Tate adds that he would “love” to play in New York.
Carnell Tate has met with the Giants – no surprise – and said he’d love to play with Malik Nabers and in New York.
New Jersey, too.
Who’s the best WR in this class?
Tate: “Me, no question.”
NorthJersey.com insider Art Stapleton confirmed Tate’s interest in playing alongside rising star Malik Nabers with the Giants. Stapleton also noted the elite Ohio State prospect’s thoughts on how he ranks compared to the rest of the 2026 WR class.
“Me, no question,” Tate said when asked who was the top wideout this year.
Imagine pairing that type of talent with Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo as the Giants build out the offense around quarterback Jaxson Dart?
Giants Have Spent ‘Extensive Time’ With Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, But They’re Not Alone
GettyOhio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
The Giants have been connected to Tate, among others, within the latest NFL Combine rumors.
College football reporter Travis May reported that Tate “confirmed extensive time with [Kansas City] Chiefs, [New Orleans] Saints, and [both] New York teams” on February 27.
That makes sense, as all four of those teams currently have a selection within the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New York Jets pick first at No. 2 overall. Tate isn’t expected to go that high, but the Jets could trade down, in theory. They also pick again at No. 16 overall, if Tate were to fall that far.
Next up are the Giants at No. 5, ahead of the Saints (8th) and the Chiefs (9th). But Tate’s leaguewide interest isn’t limited to these four franchises.
There’s a very real chance that the Ohio State star is the first pass-catcher off the board in April. He doesn’t necessarily have the highest ceiling of this wide receiver class, but Tate is widely viewed as the most complete WR of the group.
For those who are unfamiliar with the former Buckeyes’ game, he explained why that is on February 27.
Potential Giants Draft Target Carnell Tate States His Case as NFL Combine Rumors Heat Up
Tate did not have a 1,000-yard season in college. His best statistical campaign came in 2025, as the 6-foot-3 junior finished with 875 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
Having said that, Tate got better each and every year at Ohio State. And his skillset should translate very well at the NFL level.
“Everything,” Tate responded on February 27, when asked what makes him the No. 1 WR (via Schwartz). “Mindset, the catching, the route-running, and the blocking.”
“I got the mindset that I’m the best wide receiver in this draft class,” he continued confidently. “I got the route-running [ability]; I’m able to manipulate DBs. Got the catching [ability]; I can contested catch over DBs [and] make great catches. I have a field awareness on the sideline, a couple of sideline grabs. Also, showing up in the blocking game; blocking D-ends, corners, whatever you need me [to do].”
You can either take Tate’s word for it or turn on his film. Either way, you’ll likely come to the same conclusion; he isn’t lying.
Tate may not be the WR1 of this class when all is said and done, but he is a very well-rounded prospect. His route-running is crisp and smooth, and Pro Football Focus didn’t charge him with a single drop in 2025.
Tate also has NFL size and height, not to mention he’s shown a grittiness in the run game as a blocker. Per PFF, quarterbacks had a 151.8 passer rating when targeting Tate this season, which ranked first for all FBS wide receivers who earned a minimum 20% target share.
Giants Get Message From Elite WR Prospect Amid NFL Combine Rumors