The Ravens did not make any vital additions to their large receiver room this offseason, with their most notable add coming within the fourth spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft (Devontez Walker).
That hints Baltimore is anticipating its younger playmakers to take their video games to a different stage this season, and tight finish Mark Andrews believes it begins with fourth-year large receiver Rashod Bateman.
“I believe he seems unimaginable,” Andrews said of Bateman, by way of Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. “The whole lot — his route operating, catching the ball, being the place he is speculated to be — he has it all the way down to a science. I do know he is labored actually arduous, however he seems about as put collectively as he is ever been. So, it will be a giant yr for Rashod Bateman. I am calling it now.”
Bateman has disillusioned since coming into the league as a first-round decide in 2021, recording simply 93 catches for 1,167 yards and 4 touchdowns the previous three years.
A part of the 24-year-old’s lack of manufacturing is because of accidents. His 2022 season was minimize brief after struggling a season-ending foot damage.
Nevertheless, when on the sector, some have argued Bateman merely lacks chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson. That did not cease the Ravens from signing him to a two-year, $12.871M contract extension in April.
“That extension undoubtedly got here out of nowhere,” Bateman stated. “But it surely reveals that they imagine in, imagine in my work, my ethic, (and) the group believes in me, so it was a no brainer. I like taking part in right here. I like this group. I like the followers. I really feel like I nonetheless have rather a lot to do.”
Bateman remains to be going to need to show he’s worthy of his new extension, but when he does have the breakout season Andrews thinks he’ll, his new deal shall be thought-about a cut price for Baltimore.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken expects precisely that to occur.
“Because the yr went on, Rashod actually got here on, and I’ve seen super development,” Monken stated. “However once more, (it is) development simply because he did not have an offseason final yr, in my thoughts; I did not see that. However I anticipate an amazing yr (from) him.”