Carnell Tate is already turning heads in Tennessee, and the early buzz around the rookie receiver keeps getting louder. Clips from Titans training camp have spread quickly online, and Tate has been flashing the kind of plays that get people talking fast: toe-taps, one-handed grabs, and enough polish to put him in the Offensive Rookie of The Year conversation before the season has even begun.
Pat McAfee added another jolt to the hype on yesterday’s segment of his show, and he didn’t hold back on the praise. After talking up Tate’s work in practice, McAfee said, "This Ohio State wide receiver factory they got cooking might have found the next Terry McLaurin here,"
He followed that up with another strong read on Tate’s ceiling: "Not as hyped as everybody else," McAfee went on, "but still unbelievable. That could be Carnell Tate's trajectory, quickly."
That comparison should land well with Titans fans. Tate and McLaurin share the same Ohio State background, and while Tate is described as a little lengthier, the broader point is the same: McLaurin has built the kind of career any team would love to uncover in a young receiver.
The Washington Commanders standout has been to the Pro Bowl twice, and he’s stacked up plenty of 1,000-yard seasons. From 2020-2024, McLaurin hit that mark five straight times. That’s the standard McAfee is pointing to, and it’s a high one.
For Tennessee, the appeal is obvious. A fourth overall pick brings pressure with it, and rookies are often asked to carry more than they should.
But Tate won’t be forced to do everything by himself. Brian Daboll’s offense appears set up to let him settle in while Cam Ward looks to Wan'Dale Robinson, Gunnar Helm, and others from under center.
The Buckeyes pipeline has been a reliable one, and Tate is the latest Ohio State receiver trying to turn that pedigree into NFL production. Right now, the signs in Tennessee are strong enough to make McAfee’s McLaurin comparison feel less like a throwaway line and more like an early warning.
In Other News...
C.J. Stroud Just Gave Texans Fans A New Reason To Believe
A training camp rep can only tell you so much, but when C.J. Stroud uncorks an 80-yard touchdown to a running back, it has a way of sticking in the mind. The connection with David Montgomery offered a glimpse of how Houstons offense might stretch defenses this summer, with Montgomery showing the kind of receiving versatility that can create another layer for Stroud to work with.
Montgomerys role already gives the Texans flexibility, and plays like that one hint at how much more difficult this offense could be if the quarterback and back are on the same page. For a team looking to keep building around Stroud, the real intrigue is not just the highlight itself, but what it could mean for how Houston chooses to attack once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Rookie RB Is Forcing A Tough Roster Decision
Training camp has a way of sorting out the back end of a roster, and Noah Whittington has made sure his name keeps coming up in Houston. The undrafted rookie out of Oregon has stood out for the Texans with a physical running style, solid pass protection, and the kind of work ethic that has earned attention from both DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Nick Caley as he tries to get comfortable in the system.
Whittingtons push matters because the running back room is crowded, and every practice rep seems to carry a little more weight for players on the fringe. The Texans like what they have seen from his ability to adapt, but the final decisions are still ahead, and Whittington is trying to turn a strong camp into a place on the 53-man roster. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Depth Battle Gets Real In Their First Preseason Test
The Texans are heading into their first preseason game against the Chargers with the spotlight on the roster bubble rather than the headline names, since most starters are expected to sit out. That leaves a long list of players with something to prove, and this opener is a chance for the coaching staff to get a clean look at who can handle real game action when the depth chart starts to tighten.
Jaylin Smith, Lewis Bond, Jared Wayne, Marte Mapu, Cade Stover and Jawhar Jordan are among the players expected to see meaningful snaps as the competition for jobs starts to sharpen. For a team still sorting through the back end of the roster, these preseason reps carry more weight than the typical exhibition workload, and the first test against Los Angeles should begin sorting out who is ready to stick. [Read more 🡒]