Ravens TE Mark Andrews racked up 8-89-2 receiving on 13 targets in Sunday's win over the Patriots. That accounted for 44.8% of QB Lamar Jackson's total pass attempts, with just 1 other Raven topping 2 targets. That was WR Rashod Bateman, who caught 2 of 4 looks for 59 yards. WR Devin Duvernay and TE Josh Oliver snagged Jackson's other 2 TD passes. New England ranked among the league's toughest matchups for TEs last season. Although the Pats missed S Kyle Dugger in this game, let the result remind you that we need not fear matchups when it comes to Andrews. Bateman will generally find more favorable conditions than he had Sunday.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson delivered big numbers in Sunday's come-from-ahead loss to the Dolphins. He ran for 119 yards on 9 attempts, with most of that coming via his 79-yard TD dash in the 3rd quarter. Jackson also racked up 318 yards and 3 TDs through the air, finding TE Mark Andrews, WR Rashod Bateman and WR Demarcus Robinson for scores. Bateman (4-108) and Andrews (9-104) each delivered big lines, combining to claim 62% of Jackson's targets for the game.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman accounted for nearly all of his Week 1 receiving yardage with a 55-yard TD in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's 24-9 win over the Jets. Bateman totaled just 59 yards on 2 receptions in the game. His 5 targets led Baltimore WRs and ranked 2nd on the team but accounted for just 16.7% of Lamar Jackson's 30 pass attempts on a surprisingly sluggish offensive day for the Ravens. Potentially tough matchups with the Dolphins, Patriots and Bills come the next 3 weeks.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec highlighted WR Rashod Bateman among his "stock up" players through the 1st week of training camp. "He consistently made plays in all areas on the field and cut out the drops that were happening too often in minicamps," Zrebiec wrote. "The 2021 first-round pick has a no-nonsense and business-like demeanor." Bateman has a massive opportunity in 2022 with the departure of WR Marquise Brown and his 146 targets from a year ago. He's an attractive target at his 7th-round ADP.
Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic named James Proche the standout WR of Ravens minicamp/OTAs. Of course, we’re talking about padless practices, and Zrebiec even points out that Proche won the offseason over his first 2 seasons. Still, the long-time beat writer credits Proche’s toughness, confidence and good hands as reasons for him to be a “bigger contributor” this fall. Clearly, Baltimore has a major need at WR behind Rashod Bateman. A veteran signing remains likely, but there could be some deep league value to mine if Proche can lock down a steady role. At 5’11, 201 pounds, Proche was a considered a productive, sure-handed prospect coming out of SMU. He's tallied 17 catches through 2 pro seasons.
Per beat writer Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens believe WR Rashod Bateman is “ready to break out.” That’s clearly not a stretch, as Baltimore just dealt Marquise Brown after using a Round 1 pick on Bateman in the 2021 draft. Zrebiec adds, however, that the Ravens will “likely” add a veteran WR “at some point.” We’d bet against any available veteran significantly altering Bateman’s 2022 role. But there are some intriguing names still available, most notably Julio Jones and Will Fuller.
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks considers Ravens WR Rashod Bateman a top breakout candidate for the 2022 season. Brooks calls the 2nd-year man a “nice fit” in the offense, adding that he can reach “8 to 10 targets” per game. We don’t disagree on the premise. But the latter point is perhaps a stretch; 8 targets per game adds up to 136 over a full season. Only 11 WRs hit that mark in 2021. Beyond that, the Ravens — minus Marquise Brown — simply don’t project for fantasy-friendly pass volume. For fantasy purposes, Bateman’s best drafted as a WR3 with upside.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman is striking an optimistic tone following a tough rookie season. "I do feel comfortable," Bateman said this past week. "The NFL was a big mental step for me. Just being here now I feel way more comfortable, way more relaxed. I know what to expect. I know how to move. I'm just excited for Year 2. I'm excited to be healthy. I'm excited to do the things I know I can do.” Bateman missed 5 early-season games following offseason groin surgery, his first missed games ever as a football player. Now healthy, the hope is that a year 2 breakout is around the corner. That might be tough if Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews stay healthy, but at only 22, Bateman remains an enticing dynasty asset. He cracks WR3 range in our Dynasty Rankings.
Ravens WR Sammy Watkins has landed on the COVID list and will miss Sunday's game vs. the Packers. Watkins isn't on the fantasy radar -- but his absence makes WR Rashod Bateman's playing time a bit safer.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) is INACTIVE for today’s game vs. the Bears. QB Tyler Huntley gets his 1st career start. Huntley went undrafted out of Utah last year and has attempted just 16 NFL passes. He completed a solid 67.2% of his college passes with 46 TDs to 20 INTs. Huntley also ran for 1,146 yards and 16 scores at Utah and is a 95th percentile athlete for his position. There’s rushing upside here, but Huntley is a clear downgrade for Baltimore’s passing game.
Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is active for tonight's game vs. the Dolphins. Watkins isn't a reliable fantasy play in his first action since Week 5, but his return muddies WR Rashod Bateman's outlook a bit.
Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Dolphins. He was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, though, so we're expecting him to play. Watkins isn't a bankable Week 10 fantasy play does add some downside to WR Rashod Bateman.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (groin) is active for today’s game against the Vikings. WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is inactive. That makes Bateman easier to trust in fantasy lineups, although his groin issue still presents some risk.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (groin) is expected to play vs. the Vikings today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. WR Sammy Watkins, meanwhile, is a game-time decision with his hamstring injury. Rapoport adds that Watkins has a "good shot to go." Watkins isn't a viable Week 9 fantasy play, but his return would add downside to Bateman
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (groin) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game against the Vikings. He was added to the injury report on Friday and did not practice. It's unclear if this is related to the core-muscle surgery that Bateman had in August that cost him the first 5 games of the season. "Nothing serious," HC John Harbaugh said Friday. "He's got a real good chance for Sunday. We'll just see how he feels." We'll get Baltimore's inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday, but Bateman will be a risky fantasy play if he suits up.
Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) did not practice on Wednesday. That's not a good start for his chances of returning for this weekend's game vs. the Vikings. Watkins' absence would make WR Rashod Bateman easier to trust in fantasy lineups.
Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) is out for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. That locks rookie Rashod Bateman in as Baltimore’s #2 WR.
Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday. We're not expecting him to play vs. the Bengals this weekend at this point. With Watkins out last week, WR Rashod Bateman played 65% of Baltimore's offensive snaps and tied for the team lead with 6 targets.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman is active for today’s game against the Chargers. OC Greg Roman suggested earlier in the week that Bateman would be on a snap count in his NFL debut, so we'd try not to use him in Week 6 fantasy lineups.
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