The Baltimore Ravens need to upgrade their wide receiver core, and they may have to do so by replacing Rashod Bateman.
Bateman, 24, is approaching the fifth year of his rookie deal in 2025, so the Baltimore Ravens will have to decide soon whether they’ll pick it up. But it all depends on how he’ll fare next season.
The Baltimore Ravens recently brought back Nelson Agholor to a one-year deal after impressing in 2023, and with the team having the option to select a wideout with the No. 30 pick, Bateman’s days with the flock might be numbered.
Rashod Bateman has yet to live up to the hype for the Baltimore Ravens
In his three years with the Baltimore Ravens, Rashod Bateman has only tallied 93 receptions, 1,167 receiving yards, and four touchdowns, which is not exactly the type of production that gets you re-signed after your rookie contract.
According to Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner, Lamar Jackson and Rashod Bateman’s downfield connection was one of the weakest in the NFL, as the former only targeted the latter 14 times on passes of at least 20 yards, with only two ending with a catch for a horrid 14.2 completion percentage rate.
Bateman was also not the focus of the Baltimore Ravens offense, as he was the team’s first read or designated target on just 13.4 percent of their pass attempts, behind the likes of Zay Flowers (28.0%), Mark Andrews (21.6%), and Odell Beckham Jr. (17.7%).
Baltimore Ravens reportedly want to give Rashod Bateman another chance
Despite his limited production, the Baltimore Ravens remain optimistic about Rashod Bateman. Just ask head coach John Harbaugh.
“I want ‘Bate’ to flourish and make a bunch of plays, and he’s going to do that, and I think he’ll be a bigger part of it next year, just by the fact that he was healthy all year this year [and] had a chance to establish himself that way, and he’ll be starting. He’ll be playing all those snaps, and he’ll rise to the occasion,” said Harbaugh via Ryan Mink.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson also feels the same way about Bateman, but he has to make good with his outlook by making a concerted effort to target the Minnesota product more next season.