The Buffalo Bills are heading into one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent memory - and they’re doing it without Sean McDermott at the helm. Following a gut-wrenching playoff loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, team owner Terry Pegula made the bold move to part ways with the longtime head coach. In his place, the Bills elevated offensive coordinator Joe Brady, keeping the leadership baton in-house and betting big on continuity.
It’s a gamble, no doubt. McDermott helped guide Buffalo to seven straight postseason appearances, and his departure signals a new chapter - one where the pressure to win it all just got a whole lot heavier.
But for all the change swirling around the franchise, one thing remains constant: Josh Allen is still under center. And as long as No. 17 is slinging it in Orchard Park, the Bills are in the mix.
That’s exactly the kind of situation Carnell Tate wants to walk into.
The Ohio State standout wide receiver, fresh off a breakout campaign, officially declared for the NFL Draft - and he’s not shy about where he’d like to land. Speaking on the Downs 2 Business podcast, the 21-year-old made it clear: catching passes from Josh Allen would be a dream scenario.
“As a receiver, I’d love to go play with Josh Allen,” Tate said. “He can get you the ball, he’s experienced.”
You can’t blame him. Allen’s arm talent is elite, and his ability to extend plays makes him a magnet for young receivers looking to make an immediate impact. For a player like Tate - who’s already drawing WR1 buzz - the idea of being a go-to target in Buffalo’s offense is understandably appealing.
And let’s be honest: the Bills need someone like him. Their receiving corps has been a revolving door of inconsistency, and with Stefon Diggs' future uncertain and Gabe Davis hitting free agency, Buffalo is staring down a major roster hole. The pressure is now squarely on new head coach Joe Brady and recently promoted president of football operations Brandon Beane to build out a championship-caliber offense around Allen.
Tate would be a home-run addition. He’s dynamic, polished, and already showing the mindset of a professional.
But there’s one major hurdle: availability. The Bills hold the 26th pick in the first round - and that might be far too late to have a shot at Tate.
Mel Kiper currently ranks him as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2026 draft class, projecting him to go fifth overall to the New York Giants in a recent mock.
So while Tate may want Buffalo, the draft board may not cooperate.
That said, Tate’s comments also reveal a broader focus beyond just fit - he wants volume. “I just want to go somewhere that’s targeting me, though.
That’s all that I could ask for,” he said, referencing the kind of usage fellow young receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua enjoyed early in their careers. “Where I go don’t really matter, it’s just about the [volume of targets].”
That mindset - hungry, team-oriented, yet confident - is exactly what NFL teams want in a young WR1. It’s also why he’s expected to be the first receiver off the board in April.
As for Buffalo, if Tate’s out of reach, they’ll need to pivot quickly. The latest PFF mock draft simulator has the Bills addressing their wideout need in the second round with Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. He’s got upside, but he’s not the instant-impact player Tate projects to be.
The Bills’ Super Bowl window is open, but it won’t stay that way forever. With a new head coach, a franchise quarterback in his prime, and a fanbase starving for a title, the clock is ticking in Buffalo. Whether it’s Tate or another rising star, the Bills need to find Allen a new top target - and fast.