Expert Opinion: Auden Tate’s Profile
Who is this mysterious Auden Tate?
A 6’5″ wide receiver from Florida State that played in 25 games for the last two seasons and was a highly productive too. He didn’t play as a freshman but definitely stood out his sophomore year with 409 yards and six touchdowns on just 25 receptions in four starts. Things would only get better from there. As a junior, Tate started eight out of 12 games and hauled in 40 passes. He produced 548 yards and 10 touchdowns with his opportunities.
Tate is a huge target that quarterbacks can fall in love with. He uses his size to his advantage to be physical and box out defenders. The wide receiver also catches the ball with his strong hands. He is able to catch the ball in traffic over cornerbacks as well as making the back should catches and his body control is crazy. The way he can manipulate his body mid-air to adjust to the ball is outstanding. Tate checks off most of the boxes under great receiver qualities.
That is except for one major setback; the lack of NFL speed. Critics say Tate is slow getting off the line and won’t be able to create vertical separation with speed alone and he sees a high percentage of contested passes. He has the build and the skill to win those battles, but that not what you want on a consistent basis. The former Seminole also lacks quickness in his breaks, so he doesn’t get much separation there and when he does, the window closes fast due to his speed.
40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds
Vertical jump: 31″
Broad jump: 112″
Currently, Tate is projected as a fourth or fifth round pick and that’s pretty accurate in my opinion. I don’t think he will ever be a number one receiver with his speed limitations, but his toughness (played through a shoulder injury in 2017) and ability to catch in traffic make him and appealing red zone threat. Tate could land on a team as a third or fourth option and end up having a decent football career.
Photo: ESPN
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