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Offensively, the Los Angeles Rams appear set with defense at the forefront of their mind in the 2026 NFL draft. However, with two first-round picks, the Rams can afford a luxury pick like Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with one of those selections.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports believes that Tate would fill a “sneaky need” for the organization:
“While Puka Nacua is arguably the best wide receiver that the NFL has to offer, Davante Adams is entering his age-33 season and the final year of his contract. Tate could be a solid addition to an already lethal L.A. offense for 2026 and then ascend to a bigger role in 2027 if/when Adams and the team part ways. Because the Rams have two first-rounders in 2026 — No. 13 and No. 29 overall — they can add a luxury piece with one of them, which could be Tate. I view this in a somewhat similar light to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers— who had Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. — drafting Emeka Egbuka last offseason.”
Tate would be an unbelievable addition to the Rams’ offense, and selecting him would fit everything the front office has been building over the last several years. The team has added young building blocks across the board, and that approach will likely lean more offensively to maximize the remainder of Matthew Stafford’s career. Adams will also not be around forever — it would honestly be surprising if he lasted in L.A. beyond 2026 — so the former Buckeyes star is a more-than suitable replacement.
Unofficially known as “Wide Receiver U,” the Ohio State product amassed 121 receptions for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdown receptions during his 39 games in Columbus. He even won a national championship with the team in 2024. Tate is a stud playmaker who always seems to find a crease in the defense to make big plays happen.
Again, adding Tate to the mix would be a luxury for the offense until, god forbid, it becomes a necessity.
Egbuka was viewed in that way when the Bucs selected him in last year’s draft, before he took on a larger role in Mike Evans’ absence. Evans missed over half the season with a hamstring injury, and Godwin also missed time related to his dislocated ankle the year prior. So, Egbuka stepped up and finished with 63 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns.
In Los Angeles, Nacua has dealt with various ailments throughout the last couple seasons, so adding more depth pieces is crucial.
Wide receiver or offense is not a major position of need in the NFL draft, yet the Rams cannot pass up a player like Tate if he falls to them. Given L.A. has two first-rounders, they have plenty of flexibility to work with and can afford to add a luxury piece with either of those selections.