Carnell Tate’s Draft Ceiling Could Guide Bengals at No. 10
NFL pundits say Ohio State WR Carnell Tate could be a top-10 pick in the 2026 draft (potentially as high as No. 4–5), which would push Cincinnati’s No. 10 selection into a different tier of prospects. If Tate goes early, the Bengals might pivot toward other receivers such as Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson or shift to top defensive prospects, depending on how the board falls. Tate has drawn visits from teams with early picks, and some clubs could trade down, though Cincinnati hasn’t moved up in the first round since 1995. Tate is one of three Ohio State players projected in the top 10 (with Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs), and the Buckeyes’ pro day near Cincinnati could influence the team’s final draft plans.
