NFL Media legend Greg Cosell discussed where he thinks Carnell Tate fits into the wide receiver prospects in this draft.
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is the center of much conversation this offseason.
He is probably the most talented wide receiver available in the NFL Draft, but his testing performance raised some red flags as we progress through the offseason and get closer to the draft.
At the NFL Combine, Tate clocked a 4.53 40-yard dash, which had scouts and fans everywhere checking their eyes to make sure they weren't seeing things. Tate's time was legit, but in my opinion and several others', it isn't enough to hinder his draft stock. Tate followed that up by opting out of running the 40 again at Ohio State's Pro Day.
NFL media personality Greg Cosell has studied and seen just about every single player in the NFL over the last 46 years. On Ross Tucker's podcast, he talked about Tate and where he would be willing to take him.
Cosell talked about Tate being a big and physical wide receiver who can play in the middle of the field and isn't afraid of that. That is a non-negotiable in today's NFL.
He then talked about how, in the NFL, he may not be the vertical threat that he proved to be in college. Part of that is because he doesn't have the best straight-line speed you will ever see, and the athletes in the NFL are obviously much better than, let's say, the University of Minnesota. While he will be able to do it at times, he isn't going to be drafted to be just a vertical threat.
Is that enough not to take the star wide out? Cosell doesn't think so.
"If I had to pick one guy as my number one, I'd probably say that Tate would be that guy."
That description of Carnell Tate is perfect and, honestly, a great sales pitch for the budding star. If he were just a one-trick pony, then he wouldn't be projected as high as he is.
He can do a lot of different things at the receiver position, and because of his slight athletic deficiencies, he has had to find different ways to beat defenders. Over his time at Ohio State, he has developed a deep bag of tools to become one of the best receivers in college football.
Whoever decides to pick him in the NFL is going to get a game-changing weapon at their disposal.
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