The Baltimore Ravens selected wide receiver Rashod Bateman with the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It wasn’t expected that the former Minnesota star would fall to Baltimore, but they were able to secure a talented pass catcher who showed plenty of flashes during his rookie season.
Following the first session of the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked about what trading away wide receiver Marquise Brown says about the confidence that the team has in Bateman. Harbaugh talked about how he loves the way that Bateman is working, and he’s excited to watch everything unfold.
“We have a lot of confidence in Rashod Bateman; I don’t know that it’s one thing or the other. I have a lot of confidence in those guys, because I’ve seen them work out here every day. I mean, it’s up to them to go make a name for themselves; they’ve got to go do that. So, that’s something I’ll be excited to watch, [and] I can’t wait to see it. There he goes, walking right there. There’s Rashod right there. Hi, Rashod. _(laughter)There he goes. But he’s getting extra time on the field, as you can see, on his own. So, I just love the way he’s working, and really all of those guys, and I can’t wait to see them when the time comes.”
Bateman caught 46 passes for 515 yards and one touchdown during his first NFL season, and with Brown now out of the picture is Baltimore’s new No. 1 wideout. He will have to step up in a big way, especially since the Ravens have opted not to bring in a veteran option at the position up to this point.