The rookie WR had a career-high day, producing his most receptions, targets, and yards in a game. In a poor-weather game, Tate caught six of his nine targets for 58 yards, while his QB, Cam Ward, finished his third-straight game totaling less than 200 passing yards.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Production Needs Better QB Play
Tate's ranking as the WR65 through the first two weeks of the season has far more to do with his surrounding passing environment than with what we’ve seen from the former Ohio State WR to begin his career.
Coming into Sunday, Tate’s 24.4% target share ranked 21st among all WRs. Only 11 rookie WRs have commanded at least a 24% target share since 2006.
Unfortunately, his production is tied to Ward, who’s the only QB to finish three games this season with fewer than 200 passing yards.
Week 3 gave Tate his best game yet, with 11.8 PPR points and a WR31 ranking pending Sunday- and Monday Night Football. But with Ward not showing signs of improvement in his second season, Tate’s upside is limited even if his peripherals continue to impress.
