The Baltimore Ravens added DeAndre Hopkins on a one-year deal in free agency to bolster the wide receiver room.
Though Hopkins could establish himself as a reliable receiving option for quarterback Lamar Jackson, the veteran receiver is only on a one-year contract, and his best days are behind him. That is why NFL Spin Zone’s Sayre Bedinger predicts the Ravens will select Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft to replace Hopkins.
“They already have Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as 1st-round receivers on the roster, but if the value is right, they might not be opposed to adding another. Carnell Tate could be the latest from the vaunted Ohio State Buckeyes program to get 1st-round love,” Bedinger wrote.
Tate, who was a five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, is slated to be the next Ohio State wide receiver to take his talents to the NFL.
The 20-year-old tallied 52 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 as the No.3 receiver in the Buckeyes’ offense behind Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka.
With Egbuka now in the league, Tate is set to take over as the No.2 receiver for Ryan Day’s squad and should see increased opportunities in 2025. The 6-foot-3 playmaker isn’t the most exciting athlete, but he makes up for it with his savvy route running and sure hands.
Baltimore could use another capable young receiver to pair with Zay Flowers and the recently extended Rashod Bateman. Tate could be a potential target for the Ravens next April if they decide to let Hopkins walk after the 2025 season.
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