Carnell Tate vs Sam LaPorta

“Carnell Tate Egbuka also posted a top-20 all-time rookie season in targets (127)”

“Carnell Tate (WR – TEN) Carnell Tate might have been taken fourth overall in the 2026 NFL draft, but it really comes down to what you believe about quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll”

“Pollard should find running room in 2026 with Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson added to the passing game, improved play from Cam Ward , and an offensive line that last year was quietly 13th-best in yards before contact per attempt.”

“Drafting Carnell Tate is a bet on talent and Cam Ward ‘s ability to take off in his second season with Brian Daboll calling plays. I want to bet on Tate as I’m in love with the talent. Tate is an amazing route runner who can separate at all three levels of the field after ranking tenth in yards per route run and fourth in receiving grade last season (per PFF).”

“Yesterday, I was speaking with Football Absurdity hair model Waleed Ismail about an auction team he mock drafted where he went heavy RB (Bijan, Hampton, Derrick Henry), and paid down at WR (Carnell Tate, Parker Washington).”

“Carnell Tate as the WR30. The cheapest a top-5 drafted rookie WR has been in a long time. Tate slides into an offense where he can emerge as the true No. 1 alpha WR.”

“Another big addition to the room came in the first round of this year’s draft, when Tennessee created shockwaves by selecting Ohio State’s Carnell Tate at No. 4 overall. Ward was able to get some decent production out of rookie pass catchers Chimere Dike , Elic Ayomanor , and (tight end) Gunnar Helm last year, and much more will be expected out of Tate in 2026.”

“Names cited as this type of upside swing include Christian Watson , Bhayshul Tuten , Carnell Tate , and Parker Washington , all players who’ve flashed real talent but haven’t yet strung together a full, consistent season.”

“Tate currently sits at 11th overall on the dynasty chart, but one analyst is planning to move him behind George Pickens by the time the August chart is released. The core concern is that Tate came in with less pre-draft hype than some of the true elite receiver prospects at the top of recent classes, and he was the number two receiver in his own college offense, which raises real questions about whether he projects as a true alpha target earner at the next level.”

“The offseason highlight junkies are salivating over Carnell Tate. People in Nashville are just excited to have someone to be excited about. I expect Tate to be the target leader, followed by fellow newcomer Wan'Dale Robinson.”

“During his three years with the Buckeyes, Tate caught an impressive 82% of his catchable targets at 15 or more yards downfield. Titans receivers caught just 67% of those throws last year, ranked 20th.”

“Tate will immediately start on the outside along with Calvin Ridley, giving Ward two legitimate downfield weapons. Although Tate doesn't have blazing speed, he is an efficient route runner who still creates separation and also has the height to pluck the ball from the air in contested situations.”

“This stretch of games from Weeks 11-18 also coincided with Sam LaPorta ‘s absence, which increased Gibbs’ passing game usage.”

“Sam LaPorta – 2.14 Browns QBs through 5 training camp practices, per ESPN Cleveland:”

“Most playoff receiving yards ever by a rookie TE (193), passing Sam LaPorta”

“Round 9: Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) Since the FLEX spot allows for tight ends, I made a dart-throw pick on Sam LaPorta.”

“Sam LaPorta has dealt with injuries in the last two seasons, to the point where I don’t want to target him this season. His rookie year breakout feels like ages ago.”

“Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) LaPorta is currently the TE8, 84th overall, a range one analyst would easily take him from over two tight ends ranked just ahead of him. He’s been fully cleared from a herniated disc heading into camp and isn’t expected to miss any time, news that should push his price up over the coming weeks.”

“From Weeks 1-10, including a Week 8 bye week, LaPorta was the TE8 in PPR leagues. He averaged 11.9 fantasy points per game, catching 40 passes for 489 yards and three touchdowns before the injury. In that span, he had an 18.6% target share, which was second on the team behind wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (31.2%).”

“Sam LaPorta was the counter-pick, a name being drafted at a discount after a frustrating, injury-interrupted season.”

“This brings us to TE Sam LaPorta . Historically, he had been one of those middle-round TEs that Jason was avoiding like the plague. But now that he has been slipping to rounds 9-10, he’s an excellent pick when taking opportunity/cost into consideration.”

“Harold Fannin sits at TE6, and Kyle Pitts and Sam LaPorta are essentially tied for TE7 and TE8, with Pitts holding just a slight edge on the chart. Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) vs. Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) In a live dynasty startup draft one of our analysts is currently participating in, Pitts came off the board about eight picks before their own selection, leading them to take LaPorta in the same round instead.”

“LaPorta dominated from the outside as one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, and while he's fallen back to earth a bit from the highs of his rookie campaign, he's still very good.”

“LaPorta only appeared in nine games last season due to a herniated disc. Before his injury, LaPorta had received 18.6% of Detroit's targets (TE9) and averaged 2.0 yards per route run (TE6).”