What can Rashod Bateman add to the Baltimore Ravens offense?

The Baltimore Ravens are humming on offense, and the debut of rookie WR Rashod Bateman will only amplify that. 

The Baltimore Ravens are flying high in the 2021 season, and have rebounded incredibly well from their overtime loss to the Raiders in week one. While they have been a dominant rushing team, thanks to a great scheme and one of the best runners of our time, Lamar Jackson, along with giving life to older running backs, the passing game is being elevated this season by Jackson. His latest performance was one for the history books, where he brought the Ravens back from the brink against the Colts to ultimately win in overtime, completing over 80 percent of his passes and throwing for 400+ yards and four touchdowns.

The best news for the Ravens is that another name will be back for the offense to aid in Jackson’s quest for a second MVP and Baltimore’s push for a title. Rookie receiver Rashod Bateman is set to get back on the field this week against the Chargers.

Bateman, a first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was a true three-level threat in his time with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He thrived at the catch point, had an excellent release package, could win vertically, and make defenders look silly with his deception in his stem. A groin injury has kept him sidelined since camp, but no longer.

So what does Bateman bring to this offense? The Ravens have loved working the middle of the field with tight ends and giving Jackson big bodies to trust with contested catches. They aren’t afraid to take shots down the field and can operate a strong quick passing game as well. With the development of Jackson’s ability to manipulate defenders and the ascension of both Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown, things are skyrocketing at a good time.

Bateman can do a lot of what makes this offense great. He’s shown the ability to win vertically, using his buildup speed and deception on double moves to separate. He will also be a factor in the red zone to take away attention from Andrews. Bateman has shown the ability to find space on scramble drills in college as well.

On Monday night, the Colts played a ton of off-coverage and injuries certainly played a factor into their struggles in the secondary. However, there will be teams that get up in receivers’ face and play press coverage, which doesn’t favor someone with the size of Brown. Bateman can come in and be the press-defeater and dominate against off-coverage to give defenses headaches.

No matter where he is used in the Baltimore Ravens offense, Rashod Bateman will add an element they haven’t had this season, a three-level threat and separator, which makes them even more dangerous going forward.