For teams on the brink of reaching NFL royalty, it goes without saying the value a veteran pass-catcher can provide to a receiver’s room. 

As it pertains to Golden Tate, a wide receiver once game-planned for by opposing defensive coordinators, his current status as a talent looking for work has offered a distinct glimpse into the harsh reality that is the day-to-day operations of the NFL. 

After recording just 35 receptions in 12 appearances for the New York Giants in 2020, Tate found himself lost—among other things—in a rather below-average receivers unit. He didn’t buy into head coach Joe Judge’s scheme, which ultimately left him on the outside looking in following a steroid suspension and a violation of team rules. Although his vertical capabilities and play strength have diminished, a wideout in Tate, who is on the brink of turning 33 prior to his twelfth season in the league, could offer a franchise a potential target hog to round out a unit as he did just a half-decade ago in Detroit. 

Here are three teams that could be in line for Tate, a three-time 1,000-yard receiver, Super Bowl champion who, in the right situation, could offer much more in return on a potential veteran-tailored deal. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Following the loss of Sammy Watkins, the Kansas City Chiefs, whether they think so or not, have major shoes to fill within their high-flying offense. Head coach Andy Reid, in a perfect world, would like to go cheap and deploy the tandem of Demarcus Robinson and fifth-round rookie Cornell Powell into the WR2 slot opposite Tyreek Hill; but Tate’s insertion would offer Patrick Mahomes a proven veteran presence on the outside vacant outside of the electric Hill. 

With almost a decade's worth of experience working with two of the elite quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford, Tate could seamlessly slide into a substantial role in an attempt to recapture former glory working in tandem with an all-world talent in Mahomes. While he’s not the same threat he was in his career-high season of 2014, Tate surely has plenty of gas left in the tank to, at a minimum, offer an additional target in an ever-developing Kansas City offense with eyes drawn elsewhere to Hill and Travis Kelce.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers offer an interesting dynamic as they were an uncompetitive unit in 2020 leading to a basement finish in the NFC West. It was an anomaly, as seemingly the entire roster spent an amount of time on injured reserve. The group that led the team to a 13-3 record and a Super Bowl appearance in 2019, well, they’re back. Add in Trey Lance, the shiny, sparkling new gun-slinger to work under the tutelage of head coach Kyle Shanahan and San Francisco is an exciting group on paper. The unit out wide is a talented group as it is, but if the injury bug were to strike against Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, there isn’t much meat left on the bone for Shanahan to scheme up. 

Enter Tate, a multi-versatile weapon that could provide Lance the security blanket he needs to progress and accelerate his development as the future under center in San Francisco. 

Los Angeles Rams

With the Los Angeles Rams, Tate wouldn’t need to serve the role he once had in Seattle and Detroit. With an established offense already in place now led by Tate’s former teammate in Stafford, it would be silly to deny the fit in head coach Sean McVay’s uniquely designed West-Coast hybrid offense. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are clearly the poster children of the Rams’ passing game; but in a pass-happy league, and as teams adjust to deploying an increased amount of 10 (one RB/four WRs) and 11 (one RB/one TE/four WR) personnel, the need for a sure-handed veteran in Tate to pair up with the cyborg of a talent under center could be a nice fit as the Rams look to battle in an arms race for the NFC West crown.