football-player football-score football-helmet football-ball Accuracy Arm-Strength Balance Ball-Security Ball-Skills Big-Play-Ability Block-Deconstruction Competitive-Toughness Core-Functional-Strength Decision-Making Discipline Durability Effort-Motor Elusivness Explosiveness Football-IQ Footwork Functional-Athleticism Hand-Counters Hand-Power Hand-Technique Hands Lateral-Mobility Leadership Length Mechanics Mobility Pass-Coverage-Ability Pass-Protection Pass-Sets Passing-Down-Skills Pocket-Manipulation Poise Power-at-POA Progressions RAC-Ability Range Release-Package Release Route-Running Run-Defending Separation Special-Teams-Ability-1 Versatility Vision Zone-Coverage-Skills Anchor-Ability Contact-Balance Man-Coverage-Skills Tackling Lifted Logic Web Design in Kansas City clock location phone email play chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up facebook tiktok checkbox checkbox-checked radio radio-selected instagram google plus pinterest twitter youtube send linkedin search arrow-circle bell left-arrow right-arrow tdn-mark filled-play-circle yellow-arrow-circle dark-arrow-circle star cloudy snowy rainy sunny plus minus triangle-down link close drag minus-circle plus-circle pencil premium trash lock simple-trash simple-pencil eye cart
NFL Draft

Rashod Bateman Already Important Part Of Ravens Offense

  • The Draft Network
  • October 27, 2021
  • Share

Despite suffering a stunning loss at home to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens have performed in an impressive manner throughout the first half of the 2021 campaign. Their passing game has made stunning improvements from last season’s worst-ranked unit, and a new contributor has provided them with the opportunities to continue to make strides in this key area of the game.

Rookie starlet Rashod Bateman made his NFL debut in Baltimore’s 34-6 drubbing over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6 and has quickly added an exciting new wrinkle to a much-improved passing offense. The former Minnesota standout is off to an electric start while immediately slotting into a starting role. Through two games, Bateman has amassed 109 receiving yards on seven receptions. In college, Bateman often did his best work after the catch. His dangerous skill-set was on full display when he recorded a 35-yard catch-and-run on a crossing route while gliding past Bengals defenders in the open field.

What’s most impressive regarding Bateman’s recent production is how much trust franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson has shown in him despite his absence throughout their first five regular-season games due to injury. Since being activated, Bateman has been the recipient of a healthy 12 targets in two contests. 

Bateman is quickly thriving in an offense that places a terrific amount of stress on opposing defenses. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has long been known for his prowess to craft an elite running attack in Baltimore, and 2021 has thus far delivered more of the same. Despite seeing three ball-carriers suffer season-ending injuries before the year officially kicked off, the Ravens are averaging 149.4 rushing yards per game, which accounts for the fourth-best mark league-wide.

Baltimore’s first-class rushing attack has been aided by their aforementioned newfound ability to move the ball through the air. Baltimore’s passing attack is averaging a stunning 268.1 passing yards per game, which ranks them ninth out of 32 passing offenses. All in all, their marriage between the run game and passing attack has created an offense that is keeping defenses on their toes for the first time in the Jackson era.

Bateman’s emergence will continue to push that narrative in the right direction. He has quickly found his footing in the NFL, and his ability to hit the ground running is yet another example of how important it is for a rookie to land in the right environment. Bateman is absolutely flourishing in Roman’s scheme that is spreading defenses thin on a week-by-week basis.

The 27th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft is already shining under the bright lights. Look for Bateman to carry on with his impressive performances as his opportunities increase in the weeks to come.

Filed In

Related Articles

Written By

The Draft Network