There are more than a few doubters about Carnell Tate’s value in the 2026 NFL draft, but a former pro wide receiver who posted eight 1,000-yard seasons is in no doubt about the prospect already rumored to be the ‘guy’ for the Washington Commanders in Round 1.
Ohio State wideout Tate is the best player at his position in this class, according to NFL great Steve Smith Sr. The former Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens receiver spoke to Bleacher Report’s James Palmer on the 89 Show, and made it clear Tate “is the guy. That’s the guy. If there’s any questions, you can have ’em.”
This isn’t so much a bold take from Smith, as a credible one from a five-time Pro Bowler who knows what it takes to play receiver in the NFL. Yet, Smith’s emphatic and defiant confidence in Tate’s skills goes against growing concerns about the 21-year-old’s speed and production.
Those concerns don’t bother Smith, who has an alternate checklist for why Tate should be taken off the board early on Thursday, April 23. The Commanders should listen because some believe they’ve already made their decision on Tate and the seventh-overall pick.
Steve Smith Sr. Makes Strong Case for Carnell Tate
As Smith told Palmer, via the analogy of a magician’s coin, Tate “has the tails, which is early in his career body catching, not exactly knowing how to play the wide receiver position, but now on the other side of the heads, this is what you have: No big ego, no soft-tissue injuries, no red flags, and at the end of the day, his film is excellent. Is he picture perfect? No, but he’s damn-near close to it when you compare him to all the other guys there.”
That’s a strong case made by a highly credible source, but Tate’s detractors will likely still point to his 4.53 40 speed. Smith addressed the supposed issue of play speed by explaining to Palmer how Tate “doesn’t play faster than 4.3, but he does play fast enough, and his ability to attack the football, go up and climb, try to finish with his pads ahead, he does all the things that you want. If speed is the only thing you’re focusing on, just like if height is the only thing you’re focusing on, you can get tricked, because you can’t run a hundred miles per hour every route.”
Smith’s caution about getting tricked by the importance of elite speed may be greater than the warnings the Commanders have had about drafting Tate. Especially when he has the pedigree to answer an obvious need among dynamic young quarterback Jayden Daniels’ supporting cast.
Commanders Have Obvious Need to Draft WR
What Daniels needs most is a viable threat across the formation from another outstanding former Buckeyes receiver, go-to target Terry McLaurin. The latter is 30, coming off a sub-par campaign and considered overpaid, but McLaurin remains the lone deep threat teams fear on the Commanders’ depth chart.
Tate qualifies as an ideal complement to McLaurin and even a potential successor. Leaving this draft with a McLaurin partner is an obvious need when the Commanders didn’t bring back All-Pro Deebo Samuel in free agency and only surrounded their No. 1 receiver with low-key veterans Van Jefferson and the returning Dyami Brown.
It’s not the most inspiring supporting cast for ‘Scary Terry.’ Even if one of young pass-catchers Luke McCaffrey or Jaylin Lane finally makes the grade.
Choosing Tate would be the safe pick, based on Smith’s assessment of his pro-ready skills. Alternatively, general manager Adam Peters could pivot to a more exciting member of this receiver class, a prospect Smith has serious concerns about.
NFL Great Has Bold Take On Commanders ‘Guy’ Carnell Tate