If the Washington Commanders use a first-round pick on a wide receiver in next month’s 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a good chance that Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is their guy.

While there are some questions about Tate’s potential as a future No. 1 receiver in the NFL, he’s considered a safe prospect. He offers size, great hands, precise route running, good enough speed and he produced at the highest level of college football. Sure, the Commanders could trade down and take a receiver, but Tate would likely be gone at that point.

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There aren’t only questions about Tate, but also about the other top receivers, too. It’s considered a deep class for receivers, with opinions mixed about the top guy, but many consider Tate to be the top option.

It’s no surprise that the Commanders will host Tate on a top-30 visit. They also met with him at the 2026 NFL combine and spent time with him after last week’s Ohio State pro day. The interest is real. What does that mean? No one knows until April 23, but Washington is doing its due diligence.

The Commanders have a need at receiver. Terry McLaurin is the No. 1 guy. But he needs more help. That help could come in the form of Brandon Aiyuk, once the 49ers release him. However, McLaurin is in the last year of guaranteed money in his contract and is due to count $34 million against the salary cap in 2027. While the two sides could obviously rework the deal if McLaurin has another McLaurin-like season, there’s a chance that the Commanders could move on.

As for Tate, he’d love the opportunity to learn from a fellow Ohio State Buckeye great.

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“It would be a blessing for me to go out there and play with a former Ohio State Buckeye,” Tate told David Harrison of WUSA9 in Washington, D.C. “Terry’s done great things at Washington, he’s done great things for that program, so it’ll be an honor, like I said, to go in there and play for a Buckeye who lived my journey and where I’m trying to be at next.”

Tate couldn’t ask for a better mentor than McLaurin. For one, McLaurin would take him under his wing like he has every other drafted receiver over the years. Secondly, he wouldn’t face the pressure to achieve immediate success with McLaurin on the opposite side. Tate would not be counted upon to serve as Washington’s No. 1 receiver as a rookie, which is ideal.

The Commanders aren’t done at wide receiver. So, whether it’s Tate, Aiyuk, Makai Lemon, or Tate and Aiyuk, McLaurin and quarterback Jayden Daniels will have some much-needed help in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate would love to team with McLaurin