The Baltimore Ravens are heading into a pivotal draft week with real pressure to get it right. An eight-win season leaves little room for error and Eric DeCosta knows that.

Baltimore holds 11 picks in this draft, including Nos. 14, 45, 80, 115, 154, 162, 173, 174, 211, 250 and 253, giving the front office plenty of flexibility to work with. Wide receiver remains the most obvious area of need and DeCosta has the draft capital to do something about it.

According to a recent mock draft from Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports, the Ravens are projected to move up aggressively into the top 10. The deal sends Baltimore to No. 7 overall by trading picks No. 14 and No. 45 to the Washington Commanders.

Washington currently holds no second-round pick, so recouping that draft capital makes sense for them. For Baltimore, the jump puts them ahead of several teams expected to chase top receiver talent.

Former Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.Former Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Former Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.Former Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

The name attached to that pick is Carnell Tate. He runs a clean and polished route tree and can stress a defense at every level of the field. Slotting him in alongside Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers would give the Ravens a passing game that is genuinely difficult to account for.

Carnell Tate’s rise turning heads before NFL Draft

Carnell Tate came into college football as a five-star recruit and the No. 22 overall prospect in his cycle. He pulled in 37 scholarship offers while at IMG Academy with interest from Ohio State, Tennessee, LSU, Alabama and Arizona before committing to the Buckeyes on June 20, 2022.

He worked his way into the rotation as a freshman in 2023, appearing in all 13 games and finishing with 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown, including a start in the Cotton Bowl.

A year later, he was a full-time starter on a national championship team, posting 52 receptions for 733 yards and four scores across 15 games. In 2025, he took another step forward, totaling 51 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns, earning second-team Associated Press All-American honors along with multiple first-team recognitions. He finished his college career with 1,872 receiving yards.

If DeCosta pulls the trigger on this move, Tate would be the most complete receiver Baltimore has added in years.

Related: Cowboys Predicted to Jump Into Top 10 With Massive Browns Trade

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.