Like a network executive calling for another season of "Arrested Development," the Baltimore Ravens want to see more Bateman.
Making his first public comments of the 2024 season at the NFL Scouting Combine, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was particularly enthused by what receiver Rashod Bateman can offer on the road ahead, expecting a "big step" for the future fourth-year man.
"Rashod is going to get opportunities this year," Harbaugh said, per the Ravens' official site. "He ran routes really well. He worked super hard. He was healthy for the first time, even as the year went on, he got healthier, and you could see it in his play. The ball got to him, (and) when it did, he made some great plays. The ball is going to get to him a lot more next year. He's going to be ready to go."
Injuries have prevented Bateman, the 27th pick in the 2021 draft, from making any major impact in the Ravens' big play department, though flashes of brilliance emerged over his first two seasons. Bateman got somewhat lost in the fold this time around thanks to surgery recovery and the arrivals of Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers but he still mustered 367 yards on 32 receptions.
Despite his potential, Bateman probably hasn't done enough to warrant the Ravens picking up his $14 million fifth-year option by May. But his potential contract year could get some major publicity and serve as an intriguing subplot in the Ravens' upcoming redemption quest.
Batman could make an instant leap on the passing depth chart if/when Beckham leaves and Harbaugh is particularly intrigued about the way the offense will look in a post-learning curve era under coordinator Todd Monken, who will engage in his second year at the Baltimore yardage helm.
"We're one year into this thing. There are so many things that I feel like, looking back on it now, they actually were baby steps," Harbaugh said in Mink's report. "They were hard steps for us to take because it was a sea change in terms of offensive philosophy, but they were baby steps looking back on them."
"We have so, so far to go. (Quarterback Lamar Jackson) is excited; Todd is excited; All the coaches (are excited). … We have a direction right now on where we want to go. We want to be tight. We want to be locked in.
The Ravens certainly hope Bateman is ... the future of his career as a deep target could well depend on it.
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