Rashod Bateman was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Much was expected from the 6-foot, 190-pound receiver who ran the 40 in 4.41 seconds and posted an impressive 6.95 three-cone.
Unfortunately, his career has been mired by injuries and poor play. In his first three seasons, Bateman started only 21 of 34 games, garnered a total of 152 targets and racked up 93 receptions for 1,167 yards and four touchdowns.
But the Ravens still believed in him, signing him to a three-year, $15 million extension in April of 2024. And so far, the results have been promising. Bateman has caught 17 of 26 targets for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He is currently posting the 21st-best Rec EPA and has scored double-digit FPTS in three of six games. The average yards per target is a respectable 13.9.
There’s always a but, though. The target share for Bateman is only 16.7%. And the Ravens are dead-last in passing rate. Zay Flowers is the bonafide alpha on the Ravens with the tight ends as a group second on the target totem pole.
The main issue with rostering any Ravens’ pass catcher is that the game script will usually be unfavorable. They want to run and will only take to the air when another team makes them chase points. Zay Flowers has two games with four and two targets.
Looking at the rest of the season’s schedule, the Buccaneers, Bengals, Texans and Eagles are the only likely teams that could get the Ravens out of their shell. Baltimore will likely be run-heavy against the Browns (2), Steelers (2), Chargers, and Giants. So, Bateman could be useful in Week 7, 10 and 17.
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