March 7, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET
For years, the Miami Dolphins have had one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL, but after releasing Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and with Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Dee Eskridge hitting the market, the group has taken hits.
While Jaylen Waddle is still a great option to lead the room, the Dolphins should be looking to add more, and NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein believes that Miami could do so in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, as his recent mock has them taking Carnell Tate with pick No. 11 overall.
“Tate’s lack of top-end speed at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.53 40-yard dash) was a little surprising relative to the rest of the group, but the Ohio State product runs great routes and catches everything,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s a baller.”
Tate, 21, was a five-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before committing to Ohio State for the 2023 season. Over the last three years, he won a national championship, and in 39 games, he caught 121 passes for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Buckeye is guaranteed to be a first-round pick in this year’s draft, with most projecting he’ll go in the first 10 picks. However, if he slips at all, the Dolphins might just pull the trigger and bring him back to Florida.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
A group of Waddle, Tate, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington and Theo Wease Jr. could be a strong one for whoever is under center in Miami next year.
More Dolphins: NFL insider reveals shocking team that’s checking in on Tua Tagovailoa