Commanders interview top wide receiver at 2026 NFL Combine

The 2026 NFL Combine is in full swing this week. Team delegations and draft prospects began arriving in Indianapolis, Indiana, earlier this week. On Wednesday, teams began meeting with players both formally and informally, which continued on Thursday as player workouts began.

The Washington Commanders have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they've been active this week. They've interviewed players at key positions that need to be addressed, including wide receiver. To that end, the Commanders' delegation formally interviewed Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate on Thursday.

Commanders interviewed Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, per sources. Again, one of many players interviewed, but Washington taking a look at the likely No. 1 WR in this class that could be available with the 7th pick.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 26, 2026

The teams that draft ahead of the Commanders are largely focused on the defensive side of the ball. The Las Vegas Raiders have the No.1 overall pick and are likely to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The New York Giants could go either way. The Cleveland Browns are likely to draft an offensive player and could select Tate at No. 6, but the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans are all likely to select defensive players.

With Deebo Samuel and Treylon Burks entering free agency, the Commanders' wide receivers room consists of Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane. It's not just slim depth; the talent gap between the three of them is huge. Tate wouldn't only add depth, he'd also add talent and likely be a Day 1 starter. If the goal is to take the pressure off of McLaurin, Tate is certainly capable of that.

In his three seasons at Ohio State, Tate roped in 121 catches for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns. He proved over and over that he can run clean routes, he can catch just about any ball that's thrown his direction, and he's capable of adjusting to get open for the quarterback. The NFL is a very different beast, but those qualities provide a solid foundation for any coach to build on.

While a defensive player remains the likely pick for Washington, don't rule out a wide receiver or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL combine: Commanders interview top WR prospect