Is Carnell Tate Too Good To Pass Up For Washington At Pick Number Seven? (by @tiller56)

Every offseason fans fall in LOVE with a draft prospect for their favorite teams. Passionate Washington fans are no different, and that passion tends to run a bit higher when the team is coming off a 5-12 record and holds a top 10 draft pick. This offseason, a lot of focus has been around EDGE – mainly Texas Tech’s David Bailey, the uber-athletic Sonny Styles and cerebral Caleb Downs from Ohio State and of course Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Prior to the start of free agency, the Commanders had a ton of holes all over the roster, and with only two top 100 picks, the debate began early as to how that seventh overall pick should be spent. After the first week of free agency, the picture became a bit clearer. Adam “The Wizard” Peters waived his magic wand and, POOF, this roster did a complete 180.

Some of those magical moves included, but are not limited to:

• Extending Laremy Tunsil
• Odafe Oweh
• Chig Okonkwo
• Leo Chenal
• Nick Cross
• K’Lavon Chaisson
• Amik Robertson
• Tim Settle
• Charles Omenihu
• Rachaad White
• Dyami Brown
• Re-signing Chris Paul

As you can see, many of these bigger signings came on the defensive side of the football, but it was not for a lack of trying on Peters’ part in his attempt to surround Jayden Daniels with more weapons. Rumor has it that Adam offered Alec Pierce more money than he received from the Colts to join the receiving room in Washington. John Keim reported that had Pierce reached free agency, he would have signed in Washington.

Washington was also rumored to be heavily involved in the Romeo Doubs sweepstakes. Doubs ultimately ended up signing with the Patriots on a 4-year, $68M deal worth up to $80M with incentives.

Along with bringing in Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson on one-year deals, it’s believed the Commanders have a sniffed around on 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings, who will turn 29 this summer, and are the favorites to land Brandon Aiyuk if/when he’s released by San Francisco.

Adding a receiving tight end like Chig Okonkwo was a major signing that needs to be lauded. The 26-year-old MOVE tight end with 4.5 speed runs angry and can be a great underneath weapon and redzone target for Jayden.

Veteran running back Rachaad White gives new offensive coordinator David Blough a receiving weapon out of the backfield – something Washington’s offense has missed since losing Austin Ekeler to an Achillies injury last season.

Peters also focused a lot of attention in the last year on improving the offensive line to help protect his greatest asset. Trading for, and extending, Laremy Tunsil was a great play. Adam also drafted Josh Conerly with the 29th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and just re-signed Chris Paul to compete again for the left guard spot. Center is the team’s only weakness up front in the trenches.

All that said, Washington is STILL searching for a compliment to Terry McLaurin on the outside, and that guy who can eventually take over when Terry’s time in Washington is done.

Is Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate too good to pass up if he’s on the board when Washington picks at number seven overall?

Carnell Tate:

• True Junior Age – 21
• 6’2 1/4” 192 pounds
• 10 1/4” hands
• 31 3/4” arms
• 4.53 40
• Player Comp – Tee Higgins

Pros:

• Advanced route running
• Excellent hands
• Massive catch-radius
• Ability to track deep throws
• Wins one-on-one contested catches
• Solid blocker

Cons:

• Not a huge RAC threat
• Wirey frame
• Lacks great explosion
• Lacks idea play-strength

Tate saw action as a true freshman on a loaded Ohio State team, playing in all 13 games with one start. He has been under the guidance of the best wide receiver coach in college football – Brian Hartline for the last three years. It’s no coincidence that he enters the NFL as one of the more advanced route runners we have seen in the last few drafts.

What separates Carnell Tate from other receivers in this draft is his ability to manipulate defensive backs at the top of his stem. It’s not often you see a 21-year-old with these types of advanced skills.

Here you see an example of his contested catch ability. He goes up and high-points the football between two Badger defenders. He shows excellent body control when effortlessly gliding through the air.

Tate is a natural hands-catcher, rarely allowing the football to get into his body, and the balance and awareness he shows on the field is next-level.

For those questioning Tate’s deep speed – DON’T!

Tate is used to sharing the spotlight with his teammates, as Ohio State has been absolutely loaded at wide receiver since he stepped foot on campus. This past season, he and Jeremiah Smith formed the best one-two punch at wide receiver in the entire nation. With Terry McLaurin in the fold, Tate won’t be asked to come in and be “the guy” as a rookie. I think this is a role he’ll play very well early on in his career, and when the times comes for him to take over, he should be ready to do just that.

Finally, Tate is more than willing to stick his nose in there and block.

In my opinion, Carnell Tate is would be a great Z receiver who can come in and immediately become a great 1B compliment to Terry McLaurin on the outside. Because of his time at Wide Receiver U under the tutelage of Hartline, he should be a high-level contributor right out of the gate and someone who can grow alongside Jayden Daniels.

This new offense under David Blough is expected to resemble Ben Johnson’s offense in Detroit. Deep crossers, horizontal floods, over-routes off vertical clears and play-action downfield shots should all play into Tate’s game.

We saw how aggressive Adam Peter’s was going after a younger weapon in the passing game, and I feel he’s not remotely satisfied with the group we have assembled here. Don’t be surprised if come Thursday, April 23rd and Carnell Tate is on the board when Washington picks seventh overall, he’s your newest Washington Commander.