OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In relation to predicting the Baltimore Ravens’ breakout participant of 2024, the consensus this offseason has been wideout Rashod Bateman, a 2021 first-round decide whose profession has been derailed by accidents and inconsistency.
Bateman has watched his large receiver draft classmates — Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Nico Collins — signal contracts that common over $24 million per season, putting them among the many high 10 highest-paid receivers.
What Bateman has obtained from Baltimore is stunning stability and unrelenting help. He has been given extra reward than arguably anybody else on the staff. He is had a standout spring, making memorable catches almost each observe.
“I believe he seems to be unimaginable,” Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews stated. “All the things — his route operating, catching the ball, being the place he is speculated to be — he has it right down to a science. I do know he is labored actually arduous, however he seems to be about as put collectively as he is ever been.
“So, it will be a giant yr for Rashod Bateman. I am calling it now.”
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Andrews is not alone on this evaluation. On the NFL mix in February, Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated Bateman goes to take “a giant step” this season. Through the draft in April, Baltimore basic supervisor Eric DeCosta stated Bateman’s “greatest soccer is forward of him.”
This confidence comes from Bateman’s first wholesome offseason and new-found peace of thoughts. He was not eligible for a fifth-year choice after not attending the beginning of final yr’s coaching camp, which stored him from accruing a full season.
However all the uncertainty ended when the Ravens approached Bateman with a contract supply earlier than the draft. He signed a two-year, $12.871 million extension that features a $3.445 million signing bonus and retains him underneath contract by means of the 2026 season.
“That extension positively got here out of nowhere,” Bateman stated. “However it exhibits that they imagine in, imagine in my work, my ethic, [and] the staff believes in me, so it was a no brainer. I really like taking part in right here. I really like this group. I really like the followers. I really feel like I nonetheless have loads to do.”
Bateman, the No. 27 total decide of the 2021 draft, has struggled to remain wholesome. He missed the primary six video games of his rookie season following hernia surgical procedure in the summertime. He was then sidelined for the ultimate 9 video games of his second season after foot surgical procedure.
In three seasons, he is totaled 93 catches and 4 touchdowns. Over the past final 25 seasons, the one first-round large receiver with fewer landing receptions in his first three seasons is Bryant Johnson — drafted in 2003 by Arizona — who had three.
Requested if he seems like he showcased all of his skills final yr, Bateman replied, “Sure and no. I really feel like there are positively lots of issues that I might’ve accomplished otherwise, as a receiver, to assist Lamar [Jackson], to assist the staff, however … I am going to simply depart it at that.”
There have been questions as as to if Bateman and Jackson lack chemistry. It looks as if each are not often wholesome on the similar time. They’ve performed a complete of 28 video games collectively in Bateman’s three seasons.
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With Jackson as quarterback, Bateman has 3 times as many drops (9) as landing catches (three).
“The ball simply hasn’t discovered him in conditions,” Ravens large receivers coach Greg Lewis stated. “He comes out right here each day and exhibits what he is able to doing, whether or not it is [in] observe [or games]. When he will get his alternatives within the recreation, he does that. It is nearly [getting] increasingly more alternatives, after which increasingly more manufacturing will come from him.”
Bateman has had a robust exhibiting this spring. He is been stretching the sector and making landing grabs within the pink zone.
Rookie first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins named Bateman as essentially the most troublesome large receiver to cowl.
“He is simply shifty [and] has lots of quickness within the route,” Wiggins stated.
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The secret is holding Bateman concerned within the offense. Final season, Bateman was focused 54 instances on 300 routes run. That concentrate on price of 18% ranks 112th within the NFL amongst gamers with no less than 30 receptions.
“I am not apprehensive about what number of balls I get,” Bateman stated. “I am not apprehensive about if [offensive coordinator] Todd Monken calls the play for me. The one factor that I can management, man, is what I can management, and that is getting open once I can [and] blocking once I can. I do not play quarterback; I am not the ‘O.C.’ [offensive coordinator]; I am not the O-line. So, anything exterior of that … I am simply right here. I will assist this staff out one of the best ways out one of the best ways potential, however apart from that, perhaps that is a query for them.”
The Ravens want Bateman to have an even bigger position. With Odell Beckham Jr. signing with Miami, Bateman is the projected beginning large receiver reverse Zay Flowers.
“Because the yr went on, Rashod actually got here on, and I’ve seen great progress,” Monken stated. “However once more, [it’s] progress simply because he did not have an offseason final yr, in my thoughts; I did not see that. However I count on an incredible yr [from] him.”