The Baltimore Ravens saw many of their rookies contribute at a high level during the 2021 season. They needed as many people as possible to step into key roles and play over the course of the year, as the team suffered through countless injuries and an untimely COVID outbreak in their locker room.
One of the rookies to put up strong numbers in a lot of playing time was first-round wide receiver Rashod Bateman. The former University of Minnesota star was asked about what the most challenging thing about his first year at the NFL level was, and Bateman talked about the IQ of the game.
“For me, I would just probably say the IQ of the game. In the NFL, everybody is a pro, and that’s the difference between college and the NFL, I feel like. Everybody has the talent you feel like, but everybody doesn’t have it in the mind. So, I just feel like when you go out and your football IQ is high, then you can go out and perform at a high level. So, getting in my film book this offseason is definitely going to be important.”
Bateman missed the first five games of the 2021 season with an injury that he suffered during training camp, but wasted no time becoming a big part of the offense once he returned to action. He was a first down machine and good things always seemed to happen when the ball got into his hands. With a full offseason to recharge and work on his craft, Bateman should be an even bigger force in 2022.