Saints predicted to draft Ohio State star with 8th overall pick to help Tyler Shough

The 2025 NFL Draft landed the New Orleans Saints the QB they needed, Tyler Shough.

Now what? They've got to use the 2026 NFL Draft to find him some help.

Chris Olave remains out wide to catch passes from Shough, but ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. thinks in his new mock draft that the Saints could actually double down on Ohio State pass catchers.

The Saints have the No. 8 overall pick, and Kiper predicts that they'll use it on Carnell Tate from the Buckeyes.

Tate teamed with Jeremiah Smith to create the best WR duo in the country in 2025. Smith has to stay in school another year, but Tate is in the draft and the favorite to be the first WR off the board.

"The Saints' main signings have come on offense -- guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne Jr. -- and that's also where I'd expect them to look during the draft," Kiper writes. "They need to surround second-year quarterback Tyler Shough with as much talent as possible, and the No. 2 wide receiver on the roster is Devaughn Vele (25 receptions last season). Tate brings a well-rounded scouting report, with solid route running and the ability to come down with tough catches thanks to his hands and body control. He'd be great opposite Chris Olave -- yet another excellent receiver to come out of Ohio State in recent years."

MORE: Why the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Justin Fields

Tate is actually the fourth Ohio State player Kiper has in the first eight picks of his mock.

He has edge Arvell Reese to the Jets at No. 3, then safety Caleb Downs to the Giants at No. 5, then linebacker Sonny Styles to the Commanders at No. 7.

All of those guys can be stars, too, and the Saints would likely be just as happy to end up with Tate to give Shough another top-notch pass catcher to throw the football to.

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