The Miami Dolphins need a pass catcher after trading Jaylen Waddle, and consensus top wide receiver Carnell Tate falls to the team in the lastest mock draft.
Four of the best draft experts decided to take a spin on a new rotating three-round draft, which includes picks by Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates, Jordan Reid, and Matt Miller. With this potentially possible but highly unlikely way of doing things, the Miami Dolphins land the consensus best wide receiver in the draft.
When the mock draft lands with Reid, he sees the Dolphins landing Ohio State's Carnell Tate. Tate continues to be mocked up and down the first round, but is considered to be the best prospect among the pass catchers.
"Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are gone. But Tate's route-running ability, sure hands and range as a pass catcher would give quarterback Malik Willis a go-to WR1 and would provide a boost to the Dolphins' lacking receiver room," Reid wrote.
The Dolphins have a clear need at the receiver position since the team traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. The room now consists of Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington Jr., and more.
Atwell and Tolbert are the most senior members of the group, but their production in 2025 left a lot to be desired. That does not mean that any of the aforementioned names cannot make a splash, but more talent is needed.
Enter Tate. The Buckeyes product ended the season with 875 yards and nine touchdowns. His career totals are 1,872 yards, 14 touchdowns, and a 15.5 yards per catch average.
Tate comes in at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, which would give the Dolphins the kind of big-bodied pass catcher they have been lacking for multiple seasons. While Waddle and Tyreek Hill were both speedsters who could stretch the field and catch contested balls, Tate is the younger counterpart who has a knack for route running and winning in jump-ball situations.
Malik Willis is also the kind of quarterback that can gun the ball downfield, meaning his ability to throw in space with Tate being able to make a play would be huge for the Dolphins' rebuilt offense.
Tate is the kind of receiver that might fit more alongside Bobby Slowik's offense than he would have in the more catch-and-run style that Mike McDaniel had put together. While Slowik's offense is set to be similar, he has far more to work with regarding the arm of Willis.
Miami needs a variety of fast receivers and the bigger bodies that can leap up for the ball, or at least draw a pass interference call while making a play. Tate fits that mold in a big way.