The Baltimore Ravens selected Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman with the 27th pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It was a decision that surprised some, as Baltimore signed Sammy Watkins during free agency and had holes in other areas including edge and offensive line. However, the team also had a glaring need for another playmaker at receiver, even with the addition of Watkins.
Bateman brings everything that the Ravens need to the table. He stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 190 pounds, making him a versatile option. However, when talking about where he’ll be utilized in Baltimore’s offense, it will most likely be on the outside as opposed to inside, as the Ravens already have plenty of quality slot options in Marquise Brown, Devin Duvernay, and James Proche.
The former Golden Gopher is a technician as a route runner, has great stop-start ability, and can cut on a dime. He’s explosive out of his stance and can accelerate well at the snap. Bateman won’t impress anyone with elite speed, but has enough wiggle to him where doesn’t need to be blazing fast.
Rashod Bateman is a technician as a route-runner. He freezes people who cover him pic.twitter.com/eRWUOpfv9A
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) April 30, 2021
The Ravens picked a player who can make an immediate impact in their offense and has the potential to become a true No. 1 receiver for quarterback Lamar Jackson to throw to. He’s physical, can make contested catches, and can play all over the field, which are all things that Baltimore needed when looking at adding another wide receiver to their roster.
Grade: A