After finishing with a losing record and missing the playoffs in 2025, the Baltimore Ravens have been more aggressive this offseason. The firing of John Harbaugh and hiring of Jesse Minter put a new era into full swing. They’re simply sick of falling short, and Minter should have them surging in 2026.
However, general manager Eric DeCosta is still calling the shots. While they should try to pounce on proven pieces and potential stars through the trade market and free agency, the philosophy of building through the draft will likely remain the same. After an underwhelming season, the Ravens are set to pick 14th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they will look to take advantage of that early selection.
In his career as general manager, and even dating back to his time working with Ozzie Newsome, DeCosta has been known for letting the board fall and getting the best player available. In Chad Reuter's first mock draft of the offseason, he has the Ravens adding a big-time playmaker at pick 14 in the form of Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate. Reuter wrote:
“It seems like Baltimore always finds value in the middle or later parts of Round 1. In this case, the Ravens scoop up Tate, whose profile is appealing enough that he could go in the top 10; with his strong hands and crisp route-running, he seriously boosts the potency of Lamar Jackson's arsenal.”
A potential selection of Tate would be an absolute steal and would have Ravens fans ecstatic on draft night.
Mock draft projects another Eric DeCosta steal in Carnell Tate
Wide receiver is certainly a need for the Ravens this offseason, especially given the lack of production through the air outside of Zay Flowers. And while it’s not their top need, when there’s a player like Carnell Tate that’s somehow fallen to your spot, you have to make that pick.
Tate brings the exact kind of profile that this offense has been lacking: an explosive athlete who can go up and win at the catch point consistently. He’s the type of player that quarterback Lamar Jackson would love to have, knowing that if he puts the football up for grabs, Tate can come down with it more often than not.
Throughout his career as a Buckeye, Tate was never the alpha dog in the wide receiver room. In three years, he finished with a more-than-fine 121 receptions for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns, but never totaled more than 875 yards in a single season. However, it’s kind of tough to go takeover mode at a talented wide receiver school like Ohio State, which also has generational talent in Jeremiah Smith on the same offense.
Tate has gone as high as the top five in mock drafts this offseason and rightfully so. He might be the wideout in this year’s class.
At 6-foot-3, he’s a contested catch artist who doesn’t let contact phase him, effortlessly hauling in passes with soft hands. His catch radius might be the best of any prospect thanks to his athleticism and body control. He gets it done as a route runner, too, attacking leverage and creating separation with good timing and quickness.
If he wants to continue to be that dominant one-on-one threat in an offense like Baltimore’s, he could afford to put on some muscle. It could definitely benefit in winning those contested battles and beating the more physical corners at the NFL level.
Ultimately, Tate would be a seamless fit in the Ravens’ offense and would be a fun, young weapon for offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to work with in his first year calling plays in Charm City.