The Baltimore Ravens just made history by handing Rashod Bateman a contract extension until 2026. News of the wide receiver’s fresh terms broke on Wednesday, April 25.
General manager Eric DeCosta made the following statement: “We are pleased to announce that we have extended Rashod Bateman’s contract through the 2026 season. Congratulations to ‘Bate’ and his family. This is good day for the Ravens.”
Bateman still having a future with the Ravens is somewhat surprising. He’s struggled with injuries and drops since being selected 27th overall in the 2021 NFL draft.
Despite those issues, DeCosta and the front office clearly felt comfortable letting Bateman make franchise history. As ESPN’s Jamison Hensley put it, “The Ravens have drafted six wide receivers in the first round in their history. Rashod Bateman is the first to get a second contract with Baltimore.”
That’s a distinction Bateman earned a mere “eight days before the deadline on whether to exercise his 5th-year option,” per Hensley.
The Ravens deciding to bet on Bateman’s enduring and long-term potential has two implications. First, it quashes any trade talk involving the wideout.
Second, Bateman staying put means the Ravens may not be players for a new receiver during the early rounds of this year’s draft.
Ravens Gambling by Foregoing Rashod Bateman Trade Haul
A trade may not be completely off the table, but a commitment to 2026 indicates the Ravens didn’t just hand Bateman a new contract as a precursor to dealing him. Instead, the Ravens appear to be gambling on the 24-year-old’s ability to mature into the playmaker they hoped they were getting in the first round three years ago.
Bateman’s skill-set has remained enticing mostly because of his legitimate field-stretching speed. He’s a true vertical threat who can help Lamar Jackson refine his deep passing.
The two have produced big plays on the rare occasions they’ve been in-sync. Like when Bateman took the top off of the New York Jets’ defense for this 55-yard touchdown in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
For his career, Bateman has averaged a solid 12.5 yards per reception, according to Pro Football Reference.
The problem has been staying healthy, with groin, foot and hamstring injuries robbing him of 17 games in three years. Drops have also been an issue, with 10 passes getting away from Bateman since he entered the pros.
If he can ever put it all together, a healthy, fully focused Bateman would be the ideal complement to other Ravens receivers. Both Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor are more dynamic underneath and from the slot.
Bateman is the burner on the outside whose presence could deter the Ravens from drafting a flanker early.
Ravens Can Leave WR to Middle Rounds of the Draft
Fortunately, it’s a deep wide receiver class this year, so the Ravens could justify leaving the position to the middle rounds. That strategy would mean ignoring a potential dark-horse, first-round candidate who’s been compared to Philadelphia Eagles’ Pro Bowler A.J. Brown.
Owning two picks in the fourth round means DeCosta can look for a steal for the passing game. A prospect like North Carolina’s Devontez Walker would also add some straight-line speed to Jackson’s supporting cast. Another option would be to roll the dice on USC’s Brenden Rice, son of the NFL’s all-time receiving leader, Jerry Rice.
Either of those prospects would join Flowers, Agholor and Bateman to give the Ravens an intriguing core at a key position. There would still be a lot of ifs, though, based on Bateman staying healthy and Flowers building on his prolific 2023 rookie campaign.
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