The NFL Draft has become a Buckeye receiver showcase over the last few years. Ohio State has pumped out first-round wideouts at an unprecedented clip, turning Columbus into WRU. We’re talking Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. all going in the first round since 2022. That’s four receivers in three drafts, a truly staggering number. Now, whispers are growing louder about Carnell Tate for 2026, and Emeka Egbuka is waiting in the wings for 2025. It makes you wonder: how do these guys stack up against each other, even the ones still dominating Saturdays?
Let’s start with the guys cashing NFL checks. Garrett Wilson, drafted 10th overall in 2022 by the Jets, immediately proved his worth. He hauled in 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year despite some… *questionable* quarterback play. His 1,042 yards in 2023, even with Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian throwing to him, cemented his status. He’s a true alpha.
Then there's Chris Olave, selected 11th overall in the same 2022 draft by the Saints. Olave put up 1,042 yards and four scores his rookie year. In 2023, he improved to 1,123 yards, catching five touchdowns. Both Wilson and Olave showed immediate NFL readiness, separating with ease and consistently making contested catches. They were polished prospects coming out of Ohio State, with Wilson being slightly more dynamic after the catch.
Marvin Harrison Jr. just went fourth overall to the Cardinals in April. He arrived in the NFL after a dominant 2023 season with 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, following a 2022 campaign with 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 12 scores. Harrison’s combine performance, or lack thereof, raised some eyebrows, but his game tape speaks for itself. He’s a generational talent, the kind of receiver who elevates an entire offense.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, picked 20th overall by the Seahawks in 2023, had a tougher rookie year. He finished with 63 catches for 628 yards and four touchdowns. His 2022 season at Ohio State was cut short by injury, limiting him to just three games after a monster 2021 Rose Bowl performance (15 catches, 347 yards, 3 TDs). He’s a slot specialist, a master of route running, but perhaps lacks the top-end speed of the others.
Now we pivot to the college guys. Emeka Egbuka is widely projected as a first-round pick in 2025. In 2022, he posted 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 2023 season was hampered by injury, limiting him to 515 yards and four scores in 10 games. When healthy, Egbuka is a smooth operator, a great route runner with reliable hands and underrated YAC ability. He’s often overshadowed by Harrison Jr., but Egbuka is a legitimate threat.
Carnell Tate, a true freshman in 2023, only managed 18 catches for 264 yards and a single touchdown. Those numbers don't scream "first-round pick," but watching him, you see the potential. He’s got the size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) and athleticism, and he’s already shown flashes of elite body control and strong hands. He’s raw, but the ceiling is sky-high.
Here’s my ranking of these six receivers based on their projected or proven NFL ceiling:
1. **Marvin Harrison Jr.:** He’s the most complete package. Unstoppable at the college level, and his NFL transition looks seamless.
2. **Garrett Wilson:** Proven NFL production, incredible body control, and has excelled despite terrible QB play.
3. **Chris Olave:** Smooth, precise, and consistent. A true professional receiver.
4. **Emeka Egbuka:** His full potential hasn't been seen in the NFL, but his 2022 college tape is phenomenal. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a star.
5. **Jaxon Smith-Njigba:** Elite route runner, but his ceiling might be slightly lower due to a lack of top-end speed and a relatively quiet rookie year.
6. **Carnell Tate:** Pure projection here, but his physical tools and early flashes suggest he could leapfrog Egbuka if he develops as expected.
My hot take? Carnell Tate, by the time he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, will have a higher draft stock than Jaxon Smith-Njigba had in 2023, even if JSN has a breakout year in 2024. Tate’s blend of size, speed, and raw talent is simply too tantalizing for NFL scouts to ignore after a couple more years of development.