Golden Tate Scouting Report

Tate is one of those players who are lurking below the surface. Nobody has put him in the same conversation with Oklahoma State's Dez Bryan or Illinois' Arrelious Benn -- the Draft's two best wide receiving prospects -- but he belongs in the thick of things, just below those two great prospects. Tate has had a sensational career for the Fighting Irish. In his sophomore season in 2008, he went on to become QB Jimmy Clausen's favorite target, finishing the year with 58 receptions for 1,080 yards (18.6 per catch) and 10 TDs; seventeen of those grabs went for 30 yards or longer. He is quick off the line and is able to reach top speed (4.44) within a couple of steps. Tate uses moves and hands to get off press coverage. With excellent straight up speed and quickness, Tate is able to make the first defender miss on regular bases. Tate has good, strong hands, and is routinely showing off his ability to catch the ball away from his body. He does not fumble easy and has played for a conventional, drop back passer his whole career at Notre Dame. However, Tate needs to do a better job in the Red Zone. His footwork needs more polish and he is not the most physical wide out prospect. He tends to shy away from contact, and his route running also needs more development. Tate is one of the rising stars of this relatively weak draft class of WRs. He has all the tools to become a fixture in the NFL where he can work outside. As of today, Tate projects as a solid second round pick, if he declares. 3/3 Update: Tate has indeed declared early for the NFL Draft and his stock has been rising ever since. He surprised many by running an impressive 4.42 in the 40 at the NFL Combine and did pretty well in the other drills as well. Tate has moved from a second round selection to a solid first round pick. That is partially due to the fall off of some of the other wide receivers; though after Bryant, Tate is the best receiver in this class.