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Ravens camp standout ready to emerge as Lamar Jackson's next Pro Bowl weapon
Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens Michael Owens/GettyImages

The Baltimore Ravens can beat teams in countless ways—rushing with Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson scrambling, or picking apart secondaries through the air. Their offense made history in 2024 as the first to pass for over 4,000 yards and rush for more than 3,000. This year, the unit could be even stronger.

The Ravens did not lose much starting talent in the offseason. Offensive guard Patrick Mekari and cornerback Brandon Stephens were the only two starters to depart in free agency, and neither was a crucial piece last year. On the flip side, they added veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who, although well past his prime, should help give Jackson the best receiving core of his career.

The growth of their offense does not stop there, though. Wideout Rashod Bateman broke out in 2024 with 45 receptions, 756 yards, and nine touchdowns. He became one of Jackson’s favorite targets in red zone opportunities, hauling in far more touchdowns than the four total he had over the previous three seasons combined. In training camp, he continues to make significant strides.

Bateman has become Jackson’s go-to weapon in camp. He was already emerging as Baltimore’s lead deep threat, but in recent weeks, he has taken another step. The 25-year-old is making headlines every day of practice, peaking at the perfect time with the NFL regular season just around the corner.

Ravens camp standout ready to emerge as Lamar Jackson's next Pro Bowl weapon

You can never take training camp too seriously, especially for the veterans who have already carved out a role on the team, but Bateman has found something. He has been as consistent as it gets, and he is not doing it against slouches either. He is going to war against a secondary that has seen astronomical growth since a horrific 2024.

The Ravens’ defensive back room consists of several former first-round picks, possessing endless talent. Veterans Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie joined the group, and Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins are ready for another strong campaign. In the case of Wiggins, he has had various one-on-one battles with Bateman, and many have gone Bateman’s way.

At the end of the day, iron sharpens iron. We are seeing Bateman grow from playing against elite-level competition each day. Zay Flowers is undoubtedly still Baltimore’s top wide receiver, but Bateman’s progression through camp should lead to a bigger role this year, and there could be a Pro Bowl nod on the horizon.

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This article first appeared on Ebony Bird and was syndicated with permission.

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