Rashod Bateman
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Rashod Bateman is predicted to take on a different role after signing a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Baltimore Ravens are a star-studded team on offense, from Derrick Henry to Lamar Jackson to the new addition of DeAndre Hopkins. There are many players with pedigree and a history of success at a high level in the NFL. One player trying to climb to that level is wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
Bateman is entering his fifth season in Baltimore, and until last season, it was looking bleak for his prospects to remain with the franchise. The former first-round pick couldn’t pick up any momentum. Whether it was due to injury or poor performance, Bateman couldn’t get over the hump.
Last season, however, everything started coming together for Bateman. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher set career highs in nearly every category. Bateman played all 17 games and had 45 receptions for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. This Summer, Bateman has continued to build on this momentum.
Lamar Jackson Connection
The connection between Lamar Jackson and Rashod Bateman was strong last season, and it has only continued to grow over the course of training camp and heading into this season.
One of the highlights of the Ravens’ training camp was Lamar Jackson connecting with Rashod Bateman on a 40-yard touchdown. Justin Robertson ofRavens.com had the play-by-play in his August 13 training camp observations.
“The highlight of the day came when Jackson dropped the ball into a bucket deep down the sideline to Bateman for roughly a 40-yard touchdown,” Robertson said. “Jackson stood patiently in the pocket and launched the pass to Bateman, perfectly fitting the ball between Awuzie and safety Sanoussi Kane.”
The chemistry between Bateman and Jackson has only grown stronger the longer they’ve played together. Ryan Mink ofRavens.com, in December 2024, wrote about how Jackson feels that Bateman and he have learned to trust each other more.
“[It’s been] us just trusting each other, us just trusting the play call and just connecting with our chemistry,” Jackson said. “Both of us had injuries in the past, so our chemistry would die off at some point of the season, but this year, we’ve been healthy, and it’s just been going how it should be going.”
Bateman, this season will also be helped by the fact that he’s next to a future Hall of Famer.
DeAndre Hopkins Factor
Rashod Bateman gets an opportunity that many young receivers would dream of: the ability to play with a player of DeAndre Hopkins’ caliber. The five-time All-Pro signed with the Ravens this offseason in pursuit of winning a Championship. Hopkins came close last season, reaching the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs before ultimately losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, Hopkins is joining a wide receiver core led by Zay Flowers and Bateman. Over the course of the Summer, Hopkins has grown to respect Bateman’s competitive fire.
Nikhil Mehta ofRussell Street Report wrote about how Hopkins loves the way Bateman competes.
“He comes out and works,” Hopkins said. “He competes, he loves going against our best corners, and he looks forward to those matchups. That’s what’s stood out the most about him, just how he likes to compete against our best corners.”
Bateman has earned the respect and trust of his teammates heading into year five, and he is only looking to continue to grow from here.