John Harbaugh rarely, if ever, had an elite wide receiver during his 18 years as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, but things would’ve been different if the front office had listened when he “pushed hard” for the chance to select a future All-Pro in the 2023 NFL draft.
Harbaugh “badly wanted” Puka Nacua, who instead became a fifth-round pick for the Los Angeles Rams, and he’s since dominated. Nacua led the league in receptions in 2025, en route to earning a second trip to the Pro Bowl.
His offense never having a receiver this prolific is one reason Harbaugh’s Ravens often failed to win the big games in the playoffs, leading to him being fired after this season. He’s since been hired by the New York Giants, but only after the issue of “final say” was resolved to match the dynamic he enjoyed in Baltimore, when Harbaugh ultimately answered to owner Steve Bisciotti and not general manager Eric DeCosta.
The latter usually took control of the draft process, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo detailing Harbaugh’s role. Garafolo told “The Insiders” how “When John Harbaugh had guys that he wanted, sometimes he got ’em, sometimes he didn’t. If he got his way Puka Nacua would be a Raven. That’s a guy that John Harbaugh badly wanted the Ravens to draft, they didn’t.”
Knowing the Ravens were pushed to take Nacua but didn’t will be a source of immense frustration for many fans. The decision to pass on the player who instantly became a game-changing receiver also raises questions about DeCosta’s track record.
Those questions are troubling when the Ravens are still yet to hire Harbaugh’s replacement, but could be set to trust a first-time head coach. At least based on the candidates who are scheduled to interview for a second time.
Eric DeCosta Still Counting Cost of Puka Nacua Miss
DeCosta can’t count on forgiveness for not knowing how Nacua, a prospect still available in Round 5, would reach the top of the game so fast. Foresight is what’s expected of a team-builder often credited as a master strategist during the draft.
The DeCosta strategy hasn’t unearthed many hidden gems in recent seasons, however. Instead, first-round picks like wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have delivered contrasting returns.
Their erratic fortunes have left the Ravens still searching for a true go-to wideout. Flowers is the closest to reaching that status after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but he doesn’t take over games the way 129-catch Nacua can.
Finding a receiver on the same level would surely help convince franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson to sign a new contract. So could hiring a proven head coach with a track record calling offenses, but it seems the Ravens are looking for a fresh face to work with DeCosta.
Ravens Going Unproven Route for Head-Coach Search
The Ravens have been expansive in their search to replace Harbaugh. Much of their due diligence has involved speaking with would-be rookie head coaches.
It’s a pattern set to continue after Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver got a second interview. So will Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, according to Garafolo’s colleague Tom Pelissero.
Finally, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reported Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter is “also expected to get an in-person interview with Ravens this week. He interviewed virtually on Jan. 14.”
Weaver’s a former Ravens player who served as Harbaugh’s assistant head coach for two seasons. Trusting him with the top job would still be a leap of faith, but Bisciotti took a similar risk when he hired Harbaugh, then special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, back in 2008.
If the Ravens put the same trust in a relative novice this year, the debut head coach will need to lean on DeCosta’s expertise. All while hoping he doesn’t miss out on another Nacua.
John Harbaugh ‘Badly Wanted’ Ravens to Draft All-Pro WR