Don't celebrate just yet but the New Orleans Saints drafting Ohio State wide receiver, Carnell Tate, just became a lot more realistic. First reported by NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill; the two are expected to meet later this week.
The meeting is pretty significant because the Saints, like every other team in the NFL, are limited to 30 private visits. New Orleans must see something in him that they think they need on the team, and with someone of his talent, it could be any number of things. It could be his contested-catch ability, his route running, or his play against zone coverage.
Or, maybe it's just the fact that he's the top Ohio State Buckeye receiver this year. It's something that the Saints certainly have a lot of experience with, given the fact that they already have one on the roster right now. He's not the only one, either. NFL record holder and Saints icon Michael Thomas was also a Buckeye.
The Carnell Tate decision might not be up to the Saints
Despite the excitement it may bring, the visit doesn't guarantee Carnell Tate heading to New Orleans. It gives confirmation of potential interest we already assumed the Saints had. However, the decision isn't just in their hands. There are seven teams drafting in front of them after all, and more than one could use a wide receiver.
Like the Saints, those teams also have other issues that they need to address. Going through the teams ahead of the Saints, it becomes a question of what position they find more valuable to address. The Browns or Giants could take an offensive lineman, the Jets need an edge rusher, the Cardinals and Commanders a linebacker, and the Titans a running back. Or any number of those teams could choose Tate over prospects at the other positions.
Of course, there's always the chance the Saints could trade up if they really like him, but it would be smartest for them to avoid such a move. They're not in the position to send away any picks right now, and a trade-up within the top 10 is even more pricy than the norm.