Dolphins Land Ohio State WR Carnell Tate in First Round of Latest ESPN NFL Mock Draft

Miami looks to replace Tyreek Hill with a top receiving prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:26pm

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In the latest 2026 NFL mock draft from ESPN's Peter Schrager, the Miami Dolphins are projected to select Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with the 14th overall pick. Tate is viewed as one of the top receiver prospects in the draft class, and the Dolphins are looking to add new weapons for quarterback Malik Willis after the departure of star wideout Tyreek Hill.

Why it matters

The Dolphins have seven picks in the first three rounds of the 2026 draft, giving them the opportunity to significantly upgrade their roster. With Hill and Jaylen Waddle no longer on the team, Miami needs to find new playmakers to surround Willis and bolster their passing attack.

The details

In his mock draft, Schrager notes that Tate, who helped Ohio State win the national championship in 2024, is viewed as one of the best receiver prospects in the class. New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has strong connections to the Ohio State program, which could give Miami an inside track on Tate's talent and potential.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.

The players

Carnell Tate

A wide receiver from Ohio State University who is projected to be one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Malik Willis

The Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback, who the team drafted in a previous year.

Tyreek Hill

A former star wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins who was recently released by the team.

Jaylen Waddle

A former star wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins who is no longer on the team.

Jeff Hafley

The current head coach of the Miami Dolphins, who previously coached at Ohio State University.

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What they’re saying

“Miami has seven picks in the first three rounds, becoming just the second NFL team to have such a haul (2024 Cardinals). And with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone, and the sizable investment under center in Malik Willis, the Dolphins have to address the WR room.”

— Peter Schrager, ESPN NFL Analyst

“New coach Jeff Hafley (who coached with Ryan Day in San Francisco and at Ohio State) and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan have countless contacts at Ohio State, and the whole program raves about Tate. He could bring some juice to Miami.”

— Peter Schrager, ESPN NFL Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April, where the Dolphins will have the opportunity to select Carnell Tate and other prospects to help rebuild their roster.

The takeaway

The Dolphins are in a prime position to significantly upgrade their roster in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially at the wide receiver position after the departures of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Selecting a top prospect like Carnell Tate could provide a much-needed boost to their passing attack and help support quarterback Malik Willis.