With the Baltimore Ravens hiring new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, all eyes are going to be on the offense moving forward. The wide receiver position has been an achilles heel for the Ravens, outside of a few exceptions here-and-there over the years.
Baltimore selected wide receiver Rashod Bateman out of Minnesota in the first round of the 2021 draft. Head coach John Harbaugh was asked how the team will now evaluate the receiver position moving forward at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, and he had plenty of praise for Bateman and what he can do.
"I'm excited about Rashod Bateman… He's a supremely talented, determined football player." pic.twitter.com/z1idcpOVH9
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 1, 2023
“That’s a great question, and I think that’s still to be determined in terms of how we’ll evaluate our wide receivers. I know [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken] will have a big part of that in terms of what he wants to do offensively. I’m excited about Rashod Bateman. Let’s not forget; we drafted Rashod three years ago and Rashod’s had a couple nicks the last couple years, but I’m telling you he’s a supremely talented, supremely determined football player. He’s champing at the bit to get back here and go. I’ve been texting him – guys like to text. I’ve been texting him … I did talk to Isaiah Likely on the phone; we actually talked on the phone. (laughter)That was a breakthrough in player-coach relationships in the 2020s … But, he [Rashod Bateman]’s ready to roll.”
If Bateman can stay healthy in 2023, he could be a top receiver that the Ravens need. If the team pairs him with a player in the upcoming draft or add a proven veteran option next to him, it could change the trajectory of the receiving corps that Baltimore has had both personnel wise and statistically.