New York Jets wide receiver Malik Nabers, an overall pick no. 6 himself, has caught everyone's attention for his take on the 2026 pick 4, Carnell Tate's draft trajectory.

The 21-year-old was believed to be a first-round pick and was picked by the Tennessee Titans. Now, Nabers has shared his doubts about Tate’s caliber.

During a live Bleacher Report telecast, Nabers opined that the Titans shouldn’t have picked Tate so early in the draft, considering that he wasn't a starter in Ohio State.

“He's going to do tremendous in Coach Dave's offense. You know, I was in that offense,” he started. “It's going to be a hard offense to learn. But no, I don't see him being a number one. He hasn't been the number one on the team that he's been on.”

While Nabers’ statement is certainly interesting, some experts share a similar opinion. 

In a report for Titan Sized, Justin Melo opined that Arvell Reese “wouldn't have helped the young quarterback (Cam Ward) get better.” Melo further wrote that Tate shouldn’t have been the 4th pick.

“The Titans stayed true to their board, swaying slightly from the consensus to select Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick,” the comment read.

Another report by the Big Lead pointed out that Tate has always been WR2, which is a point of concern.

“He’s always been a second receiving option behind someone. In 2024, he shared targets with 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and insanely talented freshman Jeremiah Smith. In 2025, it was with Smith again,” the piece read.

But despite setbacks and criticism, the Titans were motivated to pick Tate as an option for last year's overall no. 1 pick Cam Ward.

The Titans Could Use Carnell Tate in Their Receiving Department

There are two reasons why the franchise went for Carnell Tate. Firstly, the Titans’ WR department lacked.  Chig Okonkwo and Elic Ayomanor had the most yards, which were well short of the 1,000-yard mark.

Elic Ayomanor led the franchise with 41 receptions and five TDs for 515 yards. Chig Okonkwo had the most receiving yards at 560, but only managed two touchdowns.

This is where Tate comes in. In his three-year collegiate career at Ohio, he amassed 1,872 yards from 121 receptions and scored 14 receiving touchdowns. Tate also made two carries for 22 yards. 

A Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and 2024 national champion, Tate entered the draft with a serious pedigree.

But it was the Ohio State Buckeyes making history alongside him, placing four players in the first round, with Tate headlining as the No. 4 overall pick, a Day 1 surge the program had not seen since 1967.

So even if there is pushback, Tate has done very well for himself in the draft. How his career pans out begins with the upcoming 2026 NFL season.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote