Top receiver prospect Carnell Tate desires to catch passes from Saints QB Tyler Shough, praising his impressive rookie play and potential.
The New Orleans Saints (6-11) are primed for a breakout next season should they secure another strong draft class in the 2026 offseason. Improving on the offensive side is paramount to the team's chances of winning in the near future.
The Saints figured out quarterback and left tackle with their first two 2025 draft picks in Tyler Shough and Kelvin Banks Jr. They still have a few players to add on the offensive side.
One top receiver says one of the quarterbacks he'd like to catch passes from is Tyler Shough. Ohio State wide receiver and what many view as a projected Top 10 draft pick Carnell Tate listed Shough as one of the two quarterbacks he'd like to play alongside. He had high praise for the 2025 rookie on the "Downs 2 Business" podcast.
"I just want to go somewhere that's targeting me, though. Like that's all I could ask for, like the (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) targets he just got, Puka Nakua targets, like where I go don't really matter, it's about the ball. You know, as a receiver I'd love to go play with Josh Allen. He can get you the ball. He's experienced. I feel like the Saints with Tyler (Shough). Tyler's been balling."
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) in action against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesWhether or not Tate's awareness of Shough's impressive play is from what he saw himself or former Ohio State teammate Chris Olave informed Tate of the talented passer may be unknown, but it's clear that the Buckeyes star has respect for Shough's game. It speaks to the breakout season that the New Orleans quarterback had in his rookie campaign.
Shough was viewed by some as a mistake or reach in the second round. Prevailing wisdom of some NFL scouts suggested New Orleans should have drafted a more productive college player like Shedeur Sanders or a player with well-known tools and pedigree like Quinn Ewers. It appears the Saints made the right choice.
From the two quarterbacks that Carnell Tate prefers to catch passes from, Shough is the more likely of the two options to draft Tate. Josh Allen's Buffalo Bills are set to draft later than the Saints and Tate may already be drafted by then. Nevertheless, it is evident that Shough has made an impression on prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class.
The Saints will look to find a receiver to compliment Olave and give Shough another receiver to target this offseason.