Ravens WR Rashod Bateman Primed For Breakout Season?
After struggling at the receiver position for years, the Baltimore Ravens have made some huge additions this offseason.
The Ravens' additions came in both free agency with Nelson Agholor and former Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr., and the draft with first-round pick Zay Flowers. With these additions, at receiver, quarterback Lamar Jackson now has the best supporting cast he has ever had with the Ravens.
The additions don't just come from outside, though, as Baltimore's receiver group also got a re-addition of sorts. Rashod Bateman, who played just six games last season due to injury, appears to be back at full strength heading into the new season. Bateman has shown flashes of elite play through his first two seasons, but numerous injuries have prevented him from reaching his full potential.
According to one NFL scout, though, this could be the season where that changes. An anonymous AFC South scout told Heavy that they expect the third-year receiver to have a breakout performance in 2023, provided he can avoid the injury bug.
“Rashod Bateman is the guy,” the scout said. “But, he needs to stay healthy. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, I don’t expect Baltimore to be as run dominant as they have been. This season could finally be Rashod’s time to shine.”
Bateman's strongest showing yet came at the beginning of last season, when he had eight receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games. He was blossoming into the Ravens' top receiver, until foot injuries derailed his season.
The former first-round pick has plenty of compelling traits, standing at 6-2 and 210 pounds with a 4.41 40-yard dash time. If he can rebound well from his injuries, this may very well be the year Bateman shows his full potential.
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