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The latter stages of John Harbaugh’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens became partially known for accruing “washed up” wide receivers, with the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham Jr., Diontae Johnson, Dez Bryant, Jeremy Maclin, and more joining the team past their prime.
According to recent reports, however, former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh tried to fix the franchise’s revolving door at wide receiver and find Lamar Jackson the #1 option he so desperately needs by drafting Puka Nacua in 2023. The front office, however, ultimately went in a different direction.
Nacua was drafted in the fifth round with the 177th pick overall. With their 5th round pick that year, 157 overall, the Ravens selected cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, who is no longer with the team.
Now with the Los Angeles Rams, Nacua is widely considered to be one of the best players in the NFL, and has 313 catches for 4,191 yards and 21 touchdowns in his three seasons with the team.
John Harbaugh reportedly wanted to draft Puka Nacua “badly” in 2023 but the Baltimore Ravens front office went in a different direction
“If he got his way, Puka Nacua would be a Raven. That was a guy John Harbaugh badly wanted the Ravens to draft and they didn’t,” according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: John Harbaugh sometimes got players he wanted with the #Ravens and sometimes didn’t (he pushed hard for Puka Nacua in the Draft process). Despite securing final say with the #Giants, that could still be how it works in his new gig. pic.twitter.com/jyWRDRFzqH
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 21, 2026
Now with the New York Giants, Harbaugh should hopefully have his #1 wide receiver position settled so long as Malik Nabers fully recovers from his torn ACL and continues the trajectory he was on.