Could the New York Jets really take a wide receiver with the second overall pick?

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah is pushing the hype train, full steam ahead.

On March 28, the respected draft analyst told the New York Post’s Adam Schien, “One of the things I have heard is don’t rule out Carnell Tate [at No. 2].”

Over a week later, Jeremiah continues to assert that he is hearing the Ohio State playmaker is in consideration for New York with the second overall pick.

Speaking with Mina Kimes, Jeremiah said, “I think Tate starts, I think he’s in play like at 2. I think that conversation, I think he’s entertained at 2.”

Jeremiah made it clear that the statement wasn’t his own opinion, sharing, “There’s a lot of Tate supporters out there. There’s a lot of people that need a receiver.”

However, giving his own opinion, Jeremiah stated that he thinks Tate is a bit too small and slow to justify the second overall pick.

“If Tate was 205 pounds instead of 192 pounds, and he ran 4.42 instead of 4.53, I think there’s a real chance.”

Tate did not light up the pre-draft testing period, weighing in at an undersized 192 pounds and running a 4.53 in the forty-yard dash. His 1.61 ten-yard split (17th percentile all-time for wide receivers) was even more concerning.

Nonetheless, Tate’s production and tape speak for themselves. In his 2025 junior season, Tate caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns without dropping a single pass, while securing 12-of-14 contested targets.

Tate’s teammate, edge defender Arvell Reese, remains the clear-cut favorite to be chosen by New York with the second overall pick. Perhaps, though, the Jets will shock the world by selecting a different Buckeye.

After all, with a desperate need at wide receiver outside of their own Buckeye weapon, Garrett Wilson, it would be the furthest thing from a luxury pick. Wilson himself vouched for Tate to be the second overall pick.

The question is whether the Jets have Tate graded as the top non-Fernando Mendoza player in the entire draft class—not just above Reese, but every other player on the board.

Some analysts might hold Tate in that high a regard. Most do not, but Tate only has to convince one team—one that badly needs a star at his position.

With 17 days until the draft, No. 17 from Ohio State is making sure the Jets’ pick at No. 2 remains far from set in stone.