Golden Tate should continue to be productive for Giants

Golden Tate has been a quality NFL receiver for a decade. Can he continue to produce at a high level for the New York Giants for at least one more season?

Let’s take a closer look at Tate, who will be 32 when the 2020 regular season (hopefully) opens.

The basics

Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 197
Age: 32 in August
Position: Wide receiver
Experience: 10
Contract: Year 2 of four-year, $37.5 million deal | Guaranteed: $22.95 million | Cap hit: $10.352 million

How he got here

Tate played four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, four full seasons with the Detroit Lions and split 2018 between the Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. He signed with the Giants prior to last season, ostensibly as the replacement for the traded Odell Beckham Jr.

Tate has always been among the best receivers in football in yards after the catch. Last season, he averaged 5.8 yards after catch per reception. That is exactly what he averaged the season prior.

2020 outlook

Tate ran a 4.42 40-yard dash when he came out of Notre Dame in 2010. He has not, though, necessarily relied on speed throughout his career. He seems to be a solid route runner, a willing combatant for 50-50 balls, elusiveness, and a willingness to run through tackles to make plays.

His average of 4.5 catches per game in 2019 was his lowest since 2013, but his 13.8 yards per catch was his best since that same 2013 season. His 6 touchdown catches (in just 11 games) was his most since 2015.

Tate may not be a No. 1 wide receiver, but he is a good player and there is little reason to think his skill set is going to simply evaporate at this point in time.