This offseason, involving Rashod Bateman on the Baltimore Ravens, displayed a vote of confidence for the year 4 wide receiver. The 24-year-old underwent a relatively healthy offseason and looks to break out in this Todd Monken offense now entering year 2. Bateman, a former first-rounder, is projected to be their starting receiver opposite Zay Flowers, another former first-round pick.
While Flowers had an incredible rookie season that broke records for the franchise, don’t sleep on the Bateman- Lamar Jackson connection to finally hit big after receiving an extension in the offseason. Although they brought in a few players at the position, not investing in a notable veteran or spending high draft capital again is a good sign that the former Minnesota Gopher will have his big year.
Former First Rounder Finally Fully Healthy
Rashod Bateman’s injury history is lengthy, as he looks to play another full season with the Baltimore Ravens. He had multiple setbacks as a rookie that led to groin surgery. The following sophomore season involved a Lisfranc that ended with another surgery, this time to his foot. The talented receiver played 16 games in year 1 of the Monken offense but was out of sync with Jackson for various reasons.
According to Draft Sharks, he missed a game due to a tweaked hamstring but still had an off year with Flowers coming along quickly as a rookie. Veteran Nelson Agholor was reliable down the stretch as their third wide receiver despite a rough start. Bateman will need to stay healthy and form that missing link between him and Jackson on those big plays if he wants a career revival in year 4.
Baltimore Ravens Confident in Their WR Core
Although the Ravens drafted a receiver in the fourth round in Devontez Walker, it is a good sign for Bateman, as they didn’t sign any notable pass catchers in free agency. Their current receiver depth chart that hasn’t been mentioned includes Tylan Wallace and Deonte Harty, both experienced in special teams. Walker has also been dealing with injury and has had a slow start to his rookie year.
Baltimore extended Rashod Bateman to a two-year $12.8 million contract extension this offseason according to Spotrac. This was a good risk-averse, cheap option for a receiver who hasn’t hit his true ceiling as a pass catcher for their offense. He is being paid a little more than $1 million in 2024 and is an unrestricted free agent in 2027 at age 28. The hopeful star also has an out on his contract in 2025.
Rashod Bateman Entering Pivotal Year 4
His best season was surprisingly his rookie year compared to last year, playing in 4 more games. With 35 career games played, Monken used him more as a deep ball specialist and Flowers as the short to intermediate-manufactured target-getter. Rashod Bateman hopefully will get more schemed-up looks his way that are less than 20 yards downfield just to get his confidence and chemistry going with Jackson. He has plenty of size, speed, and pass-catching ability to be a solid starter on the outside.
Surpassing his 515-yard receiving season in 2021 and getting more than 50 catches this year would be a success. His big plays came in spurts but Bateman only has 4 career touchdowns and 1,167 receiving yards on 93 catches. It is a low number for receptions with 152 career targets, but those include his seasons with Greg Roman and hopefully in year 2 with Monken, things will be much better in 2024.
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