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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has the talent, but so do his rookie teammates Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt. Also, third-year receiver Devontez Walker posted more touchdown receptions than Bateman while receiving 30 fewer targets in 2025. These uncomfortable and neglected statistics hint at a truth that may explain why head coach Jesse Minter, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, and general manager Eric DeCosta agreed to select Lane and Sarratt in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bateman played only 13 games last season, and his skill set wasn't exactly optimized under Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken (the former Ravens offensive coordinator). However, Bateman still came up empty on 50% of his targets while playing in the AFC North, where only one team ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers needs legitimate help, and Bateman has been bland at best despite consecutive seasons of empty promises.
Doyle can and will be looking to change the dynamic for Bateman, but unlike Monken, Doyle won't be as hesitant to give the rookies a chance to play with quarterback Lamar Jackson if he believes they provide a better spark. The departures of both current New York Giants players, Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard, almost assure that Doyle plans to switch the offense to 11-personnel. If so, Bateman must prove consistently that he belongs within the top three slots on the team depth chart.
Minter will likely defer to the discretion of Doyle on such a decision, requiring Bateman to prove his place through merit instead of team politics.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens WR Rashod Bateman may lose reps to rookie pass catchers
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Bateman played only 13 games last season, and his skill set wasn't exactly optimized under Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken (the former Ravens offensive coordinator). However, Bateman still came up empty on 50% of his targets while playing in the AFC North, where only one team ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers needs legitimate help, and Bateman has been bland at best despite consecutive seasons of empty promises.
Doyle can and will be looking to change the dynamic for Bateman, but unlike Monken, Doyle won't be as hesitant to give the rookies a chance to play with quarterback Lamar Jackson if he believes they provide a better spark. The departures of both current New York Giants players, Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard, almost assure that Doyle plans to switch the offense to 11-personnel. If so, Bateman must prove consistently that he belongs within the top three slots on the team depth chart.
Minter will likely defer to the discretion of Doyle on such a decision, requiring Bateman to prove his place through merit instead of team politics.
You must be registered for see images attach
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens WR Rashod Bateman may lose reps to rookie pass catchers
Continue reading...
