Don't Ignore Rashod Bateman

What They're Saying: Bateman, GM Excited

Bateman, via the team website: "I'm moving around all over the place. I feel like in the past, I've been kind of a one-dimensional receiver. I feel like Declan Doyle's seen my talent. He sees everybody's talent. A lot of guys are moving around, and he's playing to everybody's strengths. I think there's a lot that we all get to show. I'm excited to see that. ... There's new energy, new offense. I'm doing things that I've never done before. I'm blessed and excited to see what we've got in store."

GM Eric DeCosta on Bateman in a mid-July interview on 105.7 The Fan: "He's a phenomenal athlete. Great route runner. Rashod, it's right there in front of him. He's shown flashes of being a real problem for other teams. His mindset is good. I'm really, really excited to see how he does this year with Declan in this offense. Everybody's excited about him. He's got a lot of opportunities this year. Last year was just kind of a lost season in some ways, but that's no indication of the type of player that we think he is and how he can help us. I love the guy."

2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Not a Clear Path, But He Could Help

Bateman's opportunities evaporated last year, as he set career lost for targets per game (2.9) and catches per game (1.5) amid losing three games to a high-ankle sprain and another to an illness.

That followed a TD-driven fantasy high in 2024, when Bateman posted a 45-756-9 receiving line.

That TD rate was an outlier -- he has 15 total through five seasons -- but the receptions even then fell in line with Bateman's consistent low volume. Whether he can boost that will determine how useful the receiver is for fantasy lineups this season.

Bateman still won't turn 27 until the end of November, though. And we could be looking at more passing volume overall under the new OC.

Most important for how you should view the wideout: Bateman's ADP sits at the very end of drafts, even finding him often going undrafted.

From that low-risk start, there's only upside to stashing the Raven. He'll be easy to dump for a waiver option if his season starts slowly.

Best Ball Impact: Pay Attention to Bateman

This is where Bateman fits best.

He'll probably have a tough time generating startable weekly production in common-sized fantasy leagues, with Zay Flowers locked into the No. 1 WR role, TE Mark Andrews still around, and RB Derrick Henry likely to continue motivating plenty of rushing volume.

But a healthy Bateman presents proven spike-week potential from an end-of-draft best ball ADP. And his $12.25 million annual contract average makes him a strong bet to keep his starting job over rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt.

That's why I highlighted Bateman as a sleeper when Jared and I did our podcast preview of the Ravens.

Dynasty Impact: Still Not Excited Long Term

Bateman remains under contract with Baltimore through 2029, with dead-cap numbers that'll likely keep him on the roster at least through 2027.

That makes Bateman worth keeping around where you already have him rostered in dynasty. The lack of receiving volume through his first five seasons, though, would keep me from pushing to acquire him.

Good Luck, Rookies. You'll Need It.

Lane and Sarratt had been preceding Bateman off the board in best ball drafts, but Bateman has recently climbed just ahead of them.

That ordering makes it OK to stash any of the guys, though I'd order them:

• Bateman
• Lane
• Sarratt

And for the rookies, it's important to keep in mind that Devontez Walker remains after arriving as a fourth-round pick in 2024. He's unlikely to make a 2026 fantasy impact after totaling just 7 catches through his first two years, but Walker helps crowd the situation for the new guys.

Don't bet on big contributions from Lane or Sarratt in 2026.