Ravens get great value with 2021 first-round wide receiver extension

Per Spotrac, the $12.25 million average annual value of Bateman's three-year extension ranks 29th among all wide receivers. He ranks 32nd in guaranteed salary.

In 2024, Bateman broke out after an underwhelming first three NFL seasons. He had 45 receptions and posted career-highs in receiving yards (756) and receiving touchdowns (nine).

According to NFL Pro data, Bateman ranked second in expected points added per target (0.6) among qualifying wide receivers, only trailing two-time first-team All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown.

With quarterback Lamar Jackson, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and linebacker Roquan Smith's contracts accelerating in price in the coming years, Baltimore's ability to retain Bateman at a manageable cap figure is significant.

He turns 26 in November, so it's entirely possible Bateman has only just begun scratching the surface of the type of player he can be. 

Bateman was selected in the first-round (No. 27 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. During his pro day at Minnesota, he ran a blistering 4.39-second 40-yard dash. That speed has translated to the NFL. Last season, 22.2 percent of his targets came on deep throws, defined as attempts that travel at least 20 air yards, the 13th-highest rate among 84 qualifying wideouts. (h/t NFL Pro)

Bateman averaged 3.6 yards of separation (ninth best), helping him post the third-lowest tight-window target rate (8.3 percent). He tied with Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase for ESPN Analytics' 16th-best overall wide receiver score (out of 116 players).

Considering Baltimore's strong emphasis on the run — in 2024, the Ravens had the second-most rush attempts and second-fewest pass attempts — Bateman is unlikely to put up the gaudy numbers of his peers. But there's no questioning his value, especially at his salary.