The New Orleans Saints closed the 2025 season on an encouraging note despite a 6-11 record and another last-place finish in the NFC South. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough took over the starting job and went 5-4 as the starter, providing hope that the franchise has finally found its long-term answer.
First-year head coach Kellen Moore brought the best out of Shough and the offense, particularly star receiver Chris Olave. However, the Saints still need another playmaker, and they could do so by drafting Carnell Tate.
Saints and Carnell Tate Will Be an Ideal Fit for Each Other
In his latest mock draft, PFSN analyst Ryan Guthrie projected the Saints to draft Tate with the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“With most of the top defensive talent already gone, the New Orleans Saints pivot and go offense, adding Carnell Tate to pair with Chris Olave and give Tyler Shough more to work with as they evaluate him as a long-term answer,” Guthrie wrote in his mock draft.
“Tate brings the profile of a true outside receiver: 6-foot-3, strong at the catch point, and comfortable winning through contact,” he added. “Even in a loaded receiver room at Ohio State, he found ways to stand out, consistently handling one-on-one matchups and showing he can produce against top competition.”
Tate finished his three-year career at Ohio State with 121 receptions for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns despite playing in a loaded receiver room alongside future first-rounder Jeremiah Smith.
His final season in 2025 saw him post 51 catches for 875 yards and 9 touchdowns in 11 games. According to PFSN’s CFB WR Impact Metric, Tate had an impact score of 84.5, ranking 8th among receivers in college football last year.
“For New Orleans, this is about building a clearer picture of what they have at quarterback,” Guthrie added. “Tate’s ability to high-point the ball, shield defenders, and come down with contested catches gives Shough a bigger margin for error, especially on throws outside the numbers. Alongside Olave’s route-running and explosiveness, Tate adds a different dimension to the passing game. If the Saints are serious about figuring out whether Shough is their guy, this is the kind of move that helps them find out quickly.”
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The 21-year-old receiver has the ability to burst onto the scene in the NFL like his former teammate, Emeka Egbuka, did with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year. Adding Tate would give the Saints a dynamic wide receiver duo alongside Olave, a crucial element for Shough’s development under Moore.
Olave is coming off the best statistical season of his career, where he played 16 games, recorded 100 receptions for 1,163 yards, and 9 touchdowns. According to PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 80.0 last season, ranking 24th at his position.
If the Saints can pair Tate with Olave and continue building around Shough, they could position themselves to compete for the division as early as next season.
Moore has already proved that he can maximize talent during his time as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers. Pairing an ascending young quarterback with two elite receiving threats would give New Orleans the foundation needed to return to contention in a wide-open NFC South.
