The New Orleans Saints are at a pivotal point in shaping their next era on offense, and if they want to maximize both their quarterback investment and their passing game identity, drafting Ohio State wide receiver makes too much sense to ignore.
Why a Tate-Olave Duo Makes Sense
In PFSN’s most recent 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft by Trevor Ritchie, the Buckeye wide receiver finds himself being the second wide receiver off the board, going to the New Orleans Saints to play alongside Chris Olave.
Pairing Tate with Chris Olave would give the Saints a balanced, versatile receiver duo, providing quarterback Tyler Shough with the true X receiver he needs to thrive at the next level.
Chris Olave has already established himself as one of the NFL’s most polished route runners. He wins with separation, timing, and precision, primarily working as a Z receiver who can move around the formation.
What the Saints lack, however, is a physical, boundary-winning presence who can consistently line up outside, beat press coverage, and make contested catches. That’s where Carnell Tate fits perfectly.
Carnell Tate’s Abilities Shown As a Buckeye
At Ohio State, Tate has shown the traits NFL teams covet in a modern X receiver.
Standing around 6’3” with strong hands and a sturdy frame, Tate excels at using his body to shield defenders and win at the catch point. He’s comfortable operating on the perimeter, whether it’s on back-shoulder throws, fades, or deep comeback routes.
For a Saints offense that has struggled at times to win one-on-one matchups outside, Tate would immediately raise the unit’s ceiling.
Just as important is what Tate would mean for Tyler Shough. Young or newly installed quarterbacks often benefit from having a receiver they can trust in tight windows, especially on third down or in the red zone.
Tate’s catch radius and physicality would give Shough a reliable outlet when plays break down or when defenses take away Olave with bracket coverage. That kind of security blanket can accelerate a quarterback’s development and boost confidence.
The Olave–Tate pairing would also stress defenses in different ways. Olave’s speed and route savvy demand safety help, while Tate’s size forces corners to play more honestly on the outside.
That spacing opens up the middle of the field for tight ends and running backs, making the entire offense more efficient. Instead of asking Olave to be everything at once, the Saints could let him dominate in his ideal role.
Drafting Carnell Tate would be a forward-thinking move for the New Orleans Saints. It addresses a clear roster need, complements their current star receiver, and provides Tyler Shough with the type of weapon every quarterback wants.
If the Saints are serious about building a sustainable, modern passing attack, Tate should be high on their draft board.
