The time between the end of the Super Bowl and the start of training camp can be long for players, coaches, and NFL fans. There is plenty of time for speculation and predictions, which can vary based off of the moves that teams make and how their rosters look.
When ranking the top second-year breakout candidates for 2022, Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus listed out a potential star on the Baltimore Ravens in wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Renner discussed Bateman’s 2021 season and how more targets could be coming his way in 2022.
“Bateman was put behind the eight ball in 2021 by a groin injury that required surgery in the preseason and caused him to miss the first five weeks. He got up to speed quickly as Baltimore’s No. 2 receiver and averaged a respectable 1.58 yards per route when Jackson was under center…Things went south, though, when injuries kept Jackson off the field, as Bateman averaged only 1.03 yards per route with Tyler Huntley and Josh Johnson throwing him passes. With Brown’s 139 targets up for grabs, expect the bulk of those to go Bateman’s way.”
In just twelve games during his rookie season, Bateman caught 46 passes for 515 yards and one touchdown. He showed that he could make tough catches and pick up key first downs, becoming a bigger part of the team’s offense as the year went on. With Marquise “Hollywood” Brown now in Arizona, Bateman will be the top receiving threat on the Ravens. He could have a massive year in 2022, possibly even eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving.