The Buffalo Bills are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a crushing divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos, ownership made a bold move-firing longtime head coach Sean McDermott.
It was a decision that sent shockwaves through the organization and raised eyebrows across the league. But instead of looking outside, the Bills turned inward, promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to take the reins.
Brady’s promotion brings a sense of continuity in the midst of upheaval. And let’s be real-when you’ve got Josh Allen under center, you’re still in the mix. That’s exactly the kind of stability that appeals to top prospects, including one of college football’s most exciting young receivers, Carnell Tate.
Tate, coming off a breakout year at Ohio State, officially declared for the NFL Draft and made it clear where he’d like to land. On the Downs 2 Business podcast, the 21-year-old wideout didn’t mince words: “As a receiver, I’d love to go play with Josh Allen. He can get you the ball, he’s experienced.”
It’s not hard to see why Tate would be drawn to Buffalo. Allen is one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks, and the Bills are in desperate need of a true WR1.
Over the past few seasons, Allen and McDermott guided the team to seven straight playoff appearances. But the Super Bowl has remained elusive.
Now, with McDermott gone and Brady stepping into the spotlight, the pressure is on to finally get over the hump.
That pressure doesn’t just fall on Brady. Brandon Beane, recently elevated to president of football operations, has his work cut out for him.
Building a championship roster around Allen means finding playmakers-especially at wide receiver. The urgency is real, and the window is open.
Tate would be a dream fit. He’s got the size, speed, and route-running polish to be a difference-maker from Day 1.
But there’s one big problem: he might not be anywhere near the board when Buffalo picks at No. 26.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Tate ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2026 class, and in his latest mock draft, he has the New York Giants snagging Tate at No. 5.
That kind of draft stock puts Tate well out of Buffalo’s reach-unless Beane is willing to make a major move up the board. And while the Bills have been aggressive in the past, trading into the top five would be a massive swing.
Still, Tate’s comments offer insight into what he values at the next level. “I just want to go somewhere that’s targeting me, though.
That’s all that I could ask for. Like the JSN targets he just got.
The Puka Nacua targets. Where I go don’t really matter, it’s just about the [volume of targets],” he said.
Translation: he wants to be a focal point. And with the current state of Buffalo’s receiving room, there’s a clear opportunity for someone to step in and become that guy.
If the Bills can’t land Tate, they’ll need to look elsewhere. One name that’s surfaced in early mock drafts is Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., projected as a second-round option. He doesn’t carry the same buzz as Tate, but he checks a lot of boxes-solid hands, good separation skills, and the kind of upside that could blossom with Allen throwing him the ball.
Bottom line: the Bills are at a crossroads. They’ve got the quarterback.
They’ve got a new voice leading the team. What they need now is a playmaker on the outside who can help push them past the AFC’s elite and into the Super Bowl conversation.
Whether that’s Carnell Tate or someone else, the mission is clear-get Josh Allen the weapons he needs, and do it now.