Raiders Emerge as Predicted Landing Spot for 12-TD Wide R...

By Evan Massey

Contributing Sports Writer

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Pete Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders were hoping to turn things around this season. The hope was that the Raiders would end up being a playoff team in the AFC with the new coaching regime and a new-look roster.

Adding quarterback Geno Smith was expected to be a big boost for Las Vegas. However, the boost has not been seen on the field by the entire team.

Heading into the Raiders' Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on the road, the team holds a 2-9 record. Once again, Las Vegas appears to be headed for a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft rather than the playoffs.

Read more: Packers Receive Crushing News Following Huge Win Over Lions

Assuming the Raiders don't start winning games in bunches at the end of the season, they will have a chance to add more impact players in the draft. They can't afford to miss with those picks.

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With that being said, a new prediction has been made for what Las Vegas could choose to do in the upcoming draft.

Ian Cummings of Pro Football Sports Network has projected the Raiders to end up taking dynamic Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate in the first round at No. 5 overall. That would be a big-time move for an offense that badly needs help at the wideout position.

"The Raiders have a laundry list of needs, and QB is in the discussion here — but if all three QBs are gone by this point, Las Vegas should just take the best player available at a position of need," Cummings wrote. "In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, that’s my WR1: Carnell Tate."

He also shared that a common comparison for Tate at this point in his career is current Dallas Cowboys breakout star George Pickens.

Tate has been a huge part of Ohio State's success this season. He has been a key target for first-year starting quarterback Julian Sayin, racking up 39 receptions for 311 yards and seven touchdowns. Throughout his whole Buckeyes' career, he has amassed 109 catches for 1,708 yards and 12 scores.

Read more: Cowboys’ George Pickens Sends Blunt Warning to NFL

Should Las Vegas end up landing Tate, the offense would instantly take a step forward. He will have a chance to come in and make a major impact as a rookie, just like his former teammate Emeka Egbuka has done for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for the Raiders. Tate will be a name worth monitoring closely.

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