Golden Tate
February 22, 2010 at 2:19 pm | Article by Justin Neff |
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Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame, 5’11”, 195 lbs., 4.42 forty, 21 years old
Pre-NFL Draft Fantasy Profile: Coming off a pretty solid sophomore year, Tate put together an All-American junior year, in which he compiled 1,496 yards and 15 TDs, finishing fourth in the nation in total receiving yards and tied for second in receiving TDs. The 2009 Biletnikoff Award winner turned doubters into believers averaging 16.1 yards-per-catch and breaking or tying eight Notre Dame school records. Tate makes up for being undersized with his vision after the catch and looks like a running back in the open field. His ability to leap above defenders with perfect timing and adjust to off-target balls has drawn legitimate comparisons to Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers. Smith, also considered undersized at 5’8” and 185 pounds, has made a name for himself by making remarkable leaping catches that Tate has often duplicated during his three years at Notre Dame. While in South Bend, he also showcased his great hands and good run blocking capability that can successfully be transferred to either the outside or slot receiver position at the next level.
Though his talent has never been a question, his size will be the reason Tate will most likely fall to the second round, landing with a team like Tampa Bay, Buffalo, or Miami. Bill Parcells has not drafted a WR in the first round of the Draft since Terry Glenn in 1996, and if he passes on one that early this year, I would not be shocked if he nabbed Tate, in the event that he fell that far into the second round. The Bucs could use a WR also, especially if they let Antonio Bryant test the free agent market. In that situation, Golden would be a nice young talent to build some chemistry and rapport with Josh Freeman. Even though Tate will probably be taken in the early stages of the second round in April, I caution fantasy owners not to duplicate that draft spot in rookie drafts as he will probably be in a rebuilding offense and not yield a strong return on investment for at least a couple years. Take him near the end of the second and steal him if he falls to the third.
Post-NFL Draft Fantasy Outlook: Coming in May!
Justin Neff is a featured writer for NoOffseason.com. He covers the NFL Draft, and will write a weekly column during the 2010 NFL season.
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