Carnell Tate Could Be the Spark the Giants Need - and the Fit Looks Better Than You’d Expect for a Top-5 Pick
Let’s be honest: when you hear “top-five wide receiver in the NFL Draft,” your first thought usually isn’t, “Oh, lucky guy.” More often than not, those early picks land in rebuilding situations with shaky quarterbacks, inconsistent coaching, or rosters stuck in neutral. But Carnell Tate might just be the exception.
After a breakout season at Ohio State - 51 catches, 875 yards, and nine touchdowns - Tate is widely projected to be a top-five selection. And if Mel Kiper’s latest mock holds true, he could be heading to a New York Giants team that’s quietly building something intriguing under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Kiper has Tate slotted to the Giants at No. 5 overall, and that potential pairing could be a win-win. Tate wouldn’t be walking into a barren offensive landscape.
He’d be joining forces with Malik Nabers - a dynamic wideout in his own right - and running back Cam Skattebo, both of whom are expected to return healthy in 2026. That’s a strong core of playmakers for a young quarterback like Jaxson Dart, who’s still finding his footing in the league.
And that’s exactly the point.
The Giants aren’t just drafting for talent - they’re drafting to support Dart, a second-year quarterback who needs reliable weapons to grow. Nabers can't carry the entire passing game on his own, especially with Wan’Dale Robinson hitting free agency. That opens the door for a player like Tate to come in and make an immediate impact.
Let’s not forget Harbaugh’s track record here, either. During his time in Baltimore, he wasn’t shy about investing high picks in wide receivers.
From Zay Flowers to Rashod Bateman to Hollywood Brown, Harbaugh’s Ravens consistently sought out explosive perimeter talent. That philosophy could carry over to New York, especially with a young QB under center.
Harbaugh’s belief in Dart is clear - and it’s foundational to what the Giants are trying to build.
“It starts with the quarterback for sure,” Harbaugh said recently. “You build your team around your quarterback. You build your team around your players and what they do well.”
That’s more than coach-speak. It’s a roadmap.
Harbaugh sees something in Dart - not just the arm talent or the mobility, but the intangibles. The work ethic.
The love for the game. And if you’re going to bet on a young QB, you better surround him with guys who can help him succeed.
Enter Carnell Tate.
Tate’s skill set - crisp route running, strong hands, and a knack for making plays after the catch - would complement Nabers beautifully. Defenses would have to pick their poison.
Double one, and the other gets single coverage. Add in a healthy Skattebo out of the backfield, and suddenly, the Giants’ offense doesn’t look like a rebuild.
It looks like a problem for opposing coordinators.
Of course, nothing’s guaranteed in the NFL Draft. But if the Giants do pull the trigger on Tate, it won’t be a desperation move. It’ll be a calculated step toward giving Dart the support he needs - and giving Harbaugh the kind of offensive firepower he knows how to use.
For a top-five pick, that’s about as good a situation as you can ask for.