Tate Headlines Impressive Wideout Group
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published April 7, 2026, 11:49 AM
2026 Mock Draft 2.0
Where closing in on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft. The puzzle pieces are beginning to fall into place for NFL teams. The work is nearly finished for the arrival of the next generation of NFL stars to be birthed into the league via the NFL Draft.
The first tricky situation arrives in Tennessee with the decision of Sonny Styles or Jeremiyah Love. It’s a debate we won’t know until Thursday evening in Pittsburgh on the 23rd of April.
Another burden of this top ten is leaving out two extraordinary players in the secondary by the names of Caleb Downs and Mansoor Delane. However, if they are knocked out then who else do we leave out. Carnell Tate is a wildcard for me, and I could easily see Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson getting the nod in Cleveland at No. 6 but decided to go with the popular choice.
The board always looks clean in March. It never stays that way with upcoming Pro Days and private dinners on the agenda for all 32 teams in the National Football League.
Quarterbacks rise. Edge rushers get pushed up the ladder. Corners become necessities overnight. And somewhere between need and value, teams convince themselves this is the year they get it right.
It took me some time to fall in love with players in this draft, I found myself questioning more guys in their projected draft slots and usual. I’ll to be transparent in my own views and describe best what is leaning me towards a players evaluation.
Here’s how the top ten falls for now.
Pick 1
Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, 6’5 243, Indiana
Why? – Mendoza fills a need for a franchise absent of a franchise quarterback since Derek Carr was released on 2023 to avoid a contract bump. A trend with the franchise of late. The rise of Mendoza since arriving at Indiana and all the accolades that have followed is nothing short of a miracle. Hopefully that pixy dust rubs on the franchise.
Scouting Report
Hips are positioned in line with throws. Mechanically I think he is very poised and repeats the repetition with extreme consistency. Whips that right foot out upon release, reminds me of a unique batters’ swing. Fluid from top to bottom. Often clean in the pocket, it allows time to step into throws.
Leader, with toughness. Gains tough yards, not afraid to lay body on the line. Appears calm in height of chaos, remains flatlined and fluid. Runs with a bit of a hunched over approach, while not attractive, it’s effective. If he misfires over the head nothing falls short. Makes tough throws which only his receivers can make. We’ve seen times when his wideouts have made spectacular catches, coinciding with his confidence to get ball in tight spots.
Overall – His demeanor and winning attitude are nothing short of top notch. However, there is slight concern about watching the pocket in Indiana and the ability to step into throws that I think could hinder his game at the next level.
Pick 2
New York Jets
Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State 6’4 243
Why? – The potential of Reese is simply too irresistible to pass up. Head coach Aaron Glenn enters year two with the Jets and his resume of being defensive minded needs a real boost or he’ll be gone by Week 8. Hot seat coach #1! No pressure on Reese, lol.
Scouting Report
I think what pops off immediately is the light frame. Opening game against Texas you just see him pushed off the ball and contained repeatedly. Abdul Carter had a little more bulk last year at this time and felt he didn’t deliver on the lofty draft slot by New York.
There is little question about his speed and athleticism. It’s very apparent when he must use it. Good burst and love his ability to really close in on the ball when the time is right. I just fear his size and lack of strength. He must be provided a clear path to the ball.
Overall – I cannot get Barkevious Mingo out of my mind when watching Rese in action. Gifted athletically, however I’m reluctant to go all in. Identical in size at 6’4 and 241 pounds during their measurements of the NFL Combine, Mingo running a 4.58 and Reese and blazing 4.46 forty. The Cardinals took Isaiah Simmons who was 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds and ran a 4.39 in Indy back in 2020 NFL Draft at eighth overall.
Pick 3
Arizona Cardinals
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL) 6’5 329
Why? – Matt LaFleur will want to enter the trenches as head coach of the Cardinals. It’s a team that needs offensive line help and Mauigoa has established himself as the top tier guy for Arizona.
Scouting Report
Plays right tackle, the size and frame are ideal, he possesses that wide hip section along with thick thighs to leverage with success, consistently. Definitely can move the pile, seals the edge providing an open path for the ball carrier.
However, a couple plays in the title game, Hoosiers Mikail Kamara, jukes him off the snap and goes basically untouched. Another play two defenders come at hit the ball is being rushed of the left side, he’s indecisive and uses half-ass arm blocks. Once again, it’s Kamara with a tackle for loss from the right side of the line to the left side for the play.
Overall – A much wiser man told the worst offensive lineman plays right tackle because there is no speed rusher on the right. Now that’s something that can be debated, but it does make me pause for a second. With 42 consecutive starts at Miami at right tackle, he has proven durability.
Pick 4
Tennessee Titans
Sonny Styles, LB Ohio State 6’5 244
Why? – The hardest selection to make because I’m torn between Styles and Jeremiyah Love. The Titans one luxury is any is running back. Robert Saleh had Fred Warner over the years the Styles could be that guy in Tennessee.
Scouting Report
His dynamic performance at the NFL Combine was nothing short of spectacular. His size and athleticism is elite. Remember he arrived at Ohio State as a 5-star recruit and was rated as the No. 1 overall safety prospect in the country by 247Sports.
I feel his awareness and patience to attack a crease and get to the football is solid. It’s a consistent feeling you get watching him. His ability to close in space is special. When the combination of awareness and speed merges it’s a lethal combination. His use of nudging his elbow towards the ball carrier is effective in causing them to lose balance. It’s not a Sean Taylor mega-hit. It’s
Love the way he latches onto the ball carrier and drags his prey to the ground. He mirrors a big cat on the safari every time I watch it. Against Texas in Week 1 of this past season, I see a couple plays that stick in my mind. A lack of real pursuit on one play and another offensive tackle Brandon Baker pancakes Styles in the ground.
Overall – The Baker play I mention again because it’s also his negotiable mindset of Styles to take on blockers and apply his strength at the point of attack. Sometimes you lose and sometimes you win. He’s not going to back down. That demeanor is why I think along with his athleticism could create one hell of a prospect.
Pick 5
New York Giants
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, RB, 6’0 215
Why? – This is when the phone begins to ring. Love is still on the board. Do the Giants elect to stay put and add arguably the top prospect in the entire draft or gather a handful of picks from another team who desires the elite ability possessed by Love.
Scouting Report
Let’s begin here, with his performance against Pitt, I was covering – Jeremiyah Love showed instantly why he is considered the best running back in college football. With patience, sharp vision, and a devastating spin move, he sliced through the Panthers defense on a touchdown run that made it 7–0 with 8:16 left in the first quarter. The Heisman hopeful finished with 158 rushing yards on 23 carries with two catches (20 yards) for good measure.
Thick hips/legs, and knows how to use it in pass pro, watch him against Texas A&M’s Taureen York, in 2Q, he delivers one hell of a blow to York, then stares him down afterwards. That’s a mental way to block, not an assignment, he gets after it. Plays with leverage and provides a pop in his blocking.
Terrific with the ball in his hands, he provides all the cliché qualities up an upper tier prospect at his position. Effortlessly seizes the gap, finds the hole, can maneuver through traffic, spin, remain balanced and churn legs for tough yards. I would be surprised if he doesn’t become a contributor quickly at the next level.
Overall – He dazzled us all with his athleticism during the drills at the NFL Combine, and it’s not out of the question for him to go as high at two to the Jets. He is a clear-cut elite talent at running back. Even the receivers in this class are strong but not elite like Love. His 4.36 forty was another block in the solid foundation of his overall game.
Pick 6
Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State, 6’3 195
Why ? – Cleveland needs offensive line help and receiver help. The development of Shedeur Sanders is predicated on both of those positions I’ve mentioned. However, Tate is the higher rated prospect.
Scouting Report
Great size, fluid build from top to bottom, body that can be developed, engages in run game with tenacity, a real asset there, plays in control, looks natural doing the hard things, contested catches, toe tapping his feet in bounds, are all smooth moves, quickness of release, lacks great ability after the catch, is good but not elite, can make a man miss, often first contact brings him down. Ohio State has been a powerhouse in the development of the NFL’s best at the position; it appears Tate is next up.
Overall – Receiver once again is a highly debated position with a bounty of prospects that appear to have very high ceilings. Tate’s 4.5 forty at the NFL Combine doesn’t register in today’s analytics of elite speed, however the overall all prospect and the pipeline of recent Buckeyes in the National Football League at the position with success, must tip the cap in his favor.
Pick 7
Washington Commanders
Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL) 6’2 between 263
Why? – Because he’s awesome, lol. Dan Quinn will be thrilled to grab who I consider the best overall pass rusher in this class. Bain Jr. should be a plug-and-play guy for the Commanders off the rip.
Scouting Report
The first prospect I truly like right off the bat. Thick mid-section provides lower body power. At 6’2 along with his base and athletic ability, Bain is explosive off the ball and has the power needed to be very effective.
Uses rip move naturally. Winning pad level and leverage. Good job at lowering that inside shoulder to reduce the strike zone on the tackle. Stays tight on his arc towards QB. Hustles and pursues play to whistle.
Overall – Bain is that battering ram off the edge, I’d like to think after the end of the game, whatever left tackle he faced, felt exhausted and defeated. Watching the hustle, along with brute force and explosiveness, I take him over Reese every day. Feel David Bailey and Bain Jr. should be top 5 selections.
Pick 8
New Orleans Saints
David Bailey, Texas Tech, Edge, 6’4 251
Why? – Another area of the draft when Saints GM Mickey Loomis might be taking calls. Bailey is available here. Caleb Downs is on the board. LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane is an option. Loomis stays put and add another prospect in which I think can have a fabulous career.
Scouting Report
Good length, has some bulk to him, rushes from right or left, displays a variety of tricks to get to quarterback, constant pressure, seldom takes plays off. Ability to detach quickly from his blocker is a great trait he possesses, one step, he is into his rhythm, dip-n-rip or spinning, he makes his way towards the ball.
Active feet, and is clean of traffic, won’t see him on the ground. He is able to avoid the chaos and pursue. A subtle bend in his gate when rushing, a slight dip in his hips and off he goes.
His one-armed bull rush on Kent State’s Garrett Masterson, was impressive, simply knocked this 6’6 and 315lb. tackle off his feet. Watching him stumble backwards as Bailey exceled towards the quarterback was impressive. That forearm is another tool used very well.
Overall – Watching him and Bain from Miami, I think these are two quality rushers that should make good on their draft status.
Pick 9
Kansas City Chiefs
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon, 6’3 241
Why? – Want to shake things up and we all know this is the farewell tour for Travis Kelce. The Chiefs need offensive line help, but Sadiq is still flying under the radar in terms of his overall value in this draft. We can talk about every skill position on the Chiefs roster. Patrick Mahomes is at his best with an elite tight end.
Scouting Report
Sadiq blew up the NFL Combine, running a 4.39 forty, jumping 43.5 inches on the vertical and his broad jump of 11’1” along with 1.54 3-cone sealed the deal as – Amazing Athelte.
Those numbers may lead you to believe he is a oversized wideout, soft at the dirty work of tight end. Far from it, against Montan State, he takes on Hunter Parsons and drives him eight yards back and eventually on his back.
That is a mindset. That is a football player. He can get hit after the catch, remain standing and progress up field. It’s those types of plays where he shows toughness and then you add in his immense athleticism and there is really something special about Sadiq.
Overall – Wasn’t thinking I leave his tape with such a positive impression.
Pick 10
Cincinnati Bengals
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah, 6’6 308
Why? – He’s available! Fano could go higher he is that solid of a prospect and with the plethora of teams in the National Football League in need of a player like Fano the Bengals are very satisfied with this selection.
Scouting Report
A steady presence, Sound technique, great length. Can get movement on the hip. Shows good initial quickness. Excellent placement. Directs defender off the point of attack. Feel its one of his best qualities. Mirrors man and sustains block.
Once he locks in he rarely loses a battle. Seldom gets pushed back, lower body technique helps his upper body subdue defenders. I don’t see an over athletic right tackle, however his discipline and technique I think dynamic. Carbon copy of dominate plays over and over again.
Overall – Joe Burrow is the franchise, and they cannot protect him enough. In Fano is here at the tenth overall pick the Bengals personnel department might The Purple People Bridger.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
