One NFL GM roasts Ohio State's Carnell Tate over 40-yard dash time

One NFL GM roasts Ohio State's Carnell Tate over 40-yard dash time originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane couldn’t resist having a little fun at the expense of Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate during Saturday’s NFL Scouting Combine broadcast.

As one of the top wideouts in the 2026 NFL Draft, Tate posted a 4.54-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. The time left him outside the top 10 fastest receivers at the event, but didn't dent his status as a projected first-round pick.

While on the NFL Network broadcast alongside Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah, Beane downplayed the former Buckeyes' speed.

“He’s pretty slow I probably wouldn’t take him early”

Bills GM Brandon Beane during Ohio State WR Carnell Tate’s 40-yard dash pic.twitter.com/T0FHxUqFWr

— Underdog (@Underdog) March 1, 2026

“He’s pretty slow,” Beane said with a smile. “I probably wouldn’t take him early. … Did you see how slow he was out of the gate? The corner’s gonna lock him down.”

As you can imagine this ended with everyone laughing it off. Beane might simply be playing with a good poker face and hopes Tate slips to Buffalo at No. 26 overall.

In reality, Tate remains firmly in the first-round conversation. He emerged as a key playmaker for Ohio State, forming a dynamic tandem with Jeremiah Smith in 2025.

More: One NFL team asked Fernando Mendoza to get arrested to slide in the NFL Draft

Tate finished his junior season with 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns after posting 52 catches for 733 yards and four scores during the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship run.

While his forty time may not have topped the charts, Tate’s route running skills, ball tracking and production all suggest he won’t be waiting long to hear his name called in April.

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