As the Buffalo Bills gear up for the 2025 NFL season, general manager Brandon Beane is already making waves with a bold projection for the 2026 NFL Draft. With quarterback Josh Allen firmly established as one of the league’s elite, the Bills are poised to bolster their offensive firepower by targeting Ohio State’s standout wide receiver, Carnell Tate, according to a mock draft by Sayre Bedinger of NFL Spin Zone. Tate, a junior with 1,046 career receiving yards and six touchdowns in 29 games for the Buckeyes, is projected to be a first-round pick and could become the next great weapon in Buffalo’s arsenal.
Tate’s Rise to Stardom
Carnell Tate has already shown flashes of brilliance at Ohio State, a program renowned for producing top-tier NFL receivers. In a high-stakes matchup against No. 1 Texas on August 30, 2025, Tate delivered a highlight-reel moment with a 40-yard touchdown catch, juggling the ball while fending off tight coverage from a cornerback. Speaking to the media post-game, Tate emphasized his playmaking mentality: “As a receiver, you have to go make the play. Whether the DB is shorter than you or you’re open, whatever you have to do… either a penalty is thrown, or you make the catch, and I made the catch.”
This clutch performance underscores why Tate is drawing first-round buzz. Bedinger notes, “The Ohio State program is always going to have receivers drawing first-round attention because of how great those guys have been at the NFL level in recent years, and Tate could be one of the next ones.” With a track record that includes five Buckeye receivers—Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka—selected in the first round over the past four years, Tate is well-positioned to follow in their footsteps.
Why Buffalo Needs Tate
The Bills’ receiving corps has undergone significant changes in recent years, and while young talents like Keon Coleman, a 2024 second-round pick, show promise, questions remain about whether Buffalo has a true “every-down target eater.” Bedinger argues, “Do the Bills have an every-down target eater? Do they need one? I would argue they absolutely do, and that’s where someone like Carnell Tate could come into play.”
Pairing Tate with Josh Allen could be a match made in heaven. Allen, known for his rocket arm and playmaking ability, thrives when surrounded by dynamic pass-catchers. Unlike many young receivers who struggle in poor quarterback situations, Tate would step into an ideal environment in Buffalo, where Allen’s elite play could elevate him into one of the NFL’s top young receivers. If Coleman continues to develop in 2025, a Coleman-Tate duo could form a formidable tandem for the Bills in 2026, giving Allen the weapons needed to compete in the AFC’s stacked offensive landscape.
A Strategic Move for 2026
While the 2025 season is the immediate focus for Buffalo, Beane’s forward-thinking approach suggests the Bills are already planning for sustained success. Drafting Tate would not only address a key need but also align with Buffalo’s history of investing in high-upside offensive talent. Ohio State’s proven pipeline of NFL-ready receivers makes Tate a low-risk, high-reward prospect, capable of stepping into a significant role as a rookie.
As the Bills aim to build a championship-caliber roster around Josh Allen, landing a 1,046-yard weapon like Carnell Tate could send shockwaves through the NFL. With his blend of athleticism, playmaking ability, and Ohio State pedigree, Tate has the potential to become a cornerstone of Buffalo’s offense, ensuring that Allen’s arsenal remains one of the league’s most dangerous in 2026 and beyond.