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Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
While everyone assumes the Baltimore Ravens will give wide receiver and 2023 first round pick Zay Flowers a contract extension this offseason, that might not be such a given.
While Flowers has been brilliant at times, he’s also been unpredictable when the Ravens need him the most — and displays the tendency to display the anti-clutch gene when it will hurt his team the most. It’s not like he’s shrinking from the big moments … it’s more like he enters a fugue state where he’s just as likely to win the game for you as have a complete meltdown and lose it for you when the season is on the line.
It also means the Ravens could be looking for another big-time wide receiver target for 2-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft, where NFL.com’s Chad Reuter predicts Baltimore will select Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate in the first round (No. 14 overall).
“It seems like Baltimore always finds value in the middle or later parts of Round 1,” Reuter wrote in his latest mock draft. “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.”
Tate Has Always Seemed Destined for NFL
Tate, 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, seems like he was built in an NFL wide receiver lab … which Ohio State essentially is.
The former 5-star recruit from Chicago spent each of his first 3 seasons playing alongside multiple first round picks and holding his own; No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. as a true freshman in 2023, No. 19 overall pick and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Emeka Egbuka in 2024 and potential 2026 No. 1 overall pick Jeremiah Smith the last 2 seasons.
In 2024, Tate had 52 receptions for 733 yards and 4 touchdowns as he helped lead Ohio State to the College Football Playoff National Championship. In 2025, he had 51 receptions for 859 yards and 9 touchdowns while sitting out 3 games with a lower body injury.
“I’ve had Jordyn Tyson as my WR1 for most of the season, and though I’m still a huge fan, it’s important to note he’s not a lock to claim that spot,” The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner wrote on November 25. “Tyson has missed a lot of time in his career because of injury, including this season. It’s not unlike Puka Nacua’s situation coming out of BYU. Tate, meantime, has been a revelation for the Buckeyes. He gets better every time out.”
Ravens Have Elite Skill Players in Place
Taking Tate would not be addressing the most pressing need for the Ravens, which is lack of presence on the defensive front.
While Tate would be a great first round pick for the Ravens or anybody else, the important thing to remember is if there’s a precipitous drop for any of the 5 edge rushers projected as first round picks the Ravens should look long and hard at taking one of them instead.
After all, the Ravens still have elite skill players in place with Jackson, Flowers, wide receiver Rashod Bateman, tight end Mark Andrews and running back Derrick Henry.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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