Pat McAfee's Comparison for Carnell Tate Should Leave Titans Fans Ecstatic

Pat McAfee's comparison for Tennessee Titans receiver Carnell Tate thrusts him into elite conversations.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate (14) fields questions from the media on the first day of mandatory minicamp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center, Tenn., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Carnell Tate train has thoroughly caught fire as clips from the Tennessee Titans training camp begin to emerge online. The rookie receiver is making an early case for Offensive Rookie of The Year with viral toe-taps and one-handed snags that are sending Tennessee fans into a frenzy. But it isn't only those in and around Nashville that are taking notice.

On yesterday's segment of his show, Pat McAfee touched on the Tate trend, dropping only positive remarks about Cam Ward's newest weapon. "This Ohio State wide receiver factory they got cooking might have found the next Terry McLaurin here," McAfee declared, shortly after lauding Tate's acrobatics in practice.

"Not as hyped as everybody else," McAfee went on, "but still unbelievable. That could be Carnell Tate's trajectory, quickly." Football fans may know McAfee for his televised antics first and foremost, but as a former player himself, this praise doesn't present as a grain of salt.

Titans Fans Should Love McAfee's Comparison

Tate, while a little lengthier than McLaurin, shares his collegiate past as a Buckeye with the Washington Commanders pass-catcher. As McAfee noted, this isn't necessarily a loud comparison, but don't let the non-superstar nature of this bid fool you.

McLaurin is a long-term professional stud, and Titans fans should be thrilled with such an outlook this early in Tate's run.

Jan 5, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) catches the game winning touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Not only has McLaurin been to the Pro Bowl twice, but he's also got a hefty share of 1,000 yard seasons to his name. In fact, from 2020-2024, McLaurin met this metric five straight times. The 30-year old playmaker has put together a bejewled career that anyone would be lucky to replicate.

In Tate, the Titans have a receiver worthy of those lofty expectations, if he isn't expected to surpass them.

Carnell Tate is Worthy of Pro Bowl Expectations

Taking a player with the fourth overall pick comes with expectations attached, after all. Whether or not it's fair to saddle a rookie with the weight of an offense, or even a franchise (see Cam Ward), is irrelevant to what struggling teams most often ask of their new guys.

Fortunately for Tate, while he certainly appears worthy of a task like that, he won't have to lead the Titans alone. Brian Daboll's offense appears fully equipped to allow Tate to ease into his role as Ward looks to the likes of Wan'Dale Robinson, Gunnar Helm, and others from under center.

Buckeyes are as Buckeyes do. Tate is the latest Ohio State receiver in a long line of successful draft picks, and his scenario in Tennessee suggests that McAfee's projection is right on the money.