Rashod Bateman Ravens roster January 3rd
Rashod Bateman Ravens roster January 3rd
Rashod Bateman has never blossomed for the Ravens as a former first-round pick, but perhaps a new scheme will help. Baltimore made wholesale changes last offseason, firing HC John Harbaugh. They replaced him with a defensive-minded coach in Jesse Minter, who in turn hired Declan Doyle, the youngest offensive coordinator in the NFL.
Coming off a down year, marred both by injury and a declining role, Bateman is focused on getting on track. While he wouldn’t discuss the aspect of having a fresh start, he admits there are some changes that are for the better, at least as far as his role is concerned.
“As a receiver, you want somebody to believe in you,”, Bateman said. via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. “You want somebody to see your ability, and I think Declan [Doyle] is doing a good job of moving all of us around — not just myself. Zay’s been moving a lot. You see Ja’Kobi Lane out there making plays, Tez Walker. I think there’s a lot in store for a lot of guys this season”.
Rashod Bateman had his best season in 2024, which was also his healthiest. On 45 receptions, he produced 756 yards and 9 touchdowns. That’s more touchdowns than he has had in the rest of his five-year career combined.
Limited to just 13 games last year, Bateman caught nearly a career-low 19 passes for 224 yards an 2 touchdowns. Injuries affected things for him, but he also didn’t seem happy with his role in former OC Todd Monken’s offense. That could change under Doyle.
”I feel like the details of it, I’m moving around a lot — I’m in the slot, outside”, Bateman said when asked for his opinion on the Ravens’ offense going into this season under Doyle. “I think that’s a blessing for me. I appreciate Declan for doing that. I get to show my talent more and more”.
The Ravens just signed WR Zay Flowers to a massive new contract extension, a four-year deal worth $140 million. There is no ambiguity about who the top target is. But while there is still TE Mark Andrews, they did lose Isiaah Likely. Rashod Bateman could see more targets this year, though he has to stay healthy, too. That has been a problem during his career more often than it hasn’t.
Under Greg Roman and Todd Monken, the Ravens have consistently been one of the least voluminous passing offenses in the NFL with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. At times, they have had an extremely efficient passing game, but their focus has been on running the ball. Will Declan Doyle shift the focus more toward the passing game? It doesn’t sound like Rashod Bateman would mind. And given what they just paid Flowers, they might want to utilize that resource.