Per beat writer Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens believe WR Rashod Bateman is “ready to break out.” That’s clearly not a stretch, as Baltimore just dealt Marquise Brown after using a Round 1 pick on Bateman in the 2021 draft. Zrebiec adds, however, that the Ravens will “likely” add a veteran WR “at some point.” We’d bet against any available veteran significantly altering Bateman’s 2022 role. But there are some intriguing names still available, most notably Julio Jones and Will Fuller.

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks considers Ravens WR Rashod Bateman a top breakout candidate for the 2022 season. Brooks calls the 2nd-year man a “nice fit” in the offense, adding that he can reach “8 to 10 targets” per game. We don’t disagree on the premise. But the latter point is perhaps a stretch; 8 targets per game adds up to 136 over a full season. Only 11 WRs hit that mark in 2021. Beyond that, the Ravens — minus Marquise Brown — simply don’t project for fantasy-friendly pass volume. For fantasy purposes, Bateman’s best drafted as a WR3 with upside.

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman is striking an optimistic tone following a tough rookie season. "I do feel comfortable," Bateman said this past week. "The NFL was a big mental step for me. Just being here now I feel way more comfortable, way more relaxed. I know what to expect. I know how to move. I'm just excited for Year 2. I'm excited to be healthy. I'm excited to do the things I know I can do.” Bateman missed 5 early-season games following offseason groin surgery, his first missed games ever as a football player. Now healthy, the hope is that a year 2 breakout is around the corner. That might be tough if Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews stay healthy, but at only 22, Bateman remains an enticing dynasty asset. He cracks WR3 range in our Dynasty Rankings.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins has landed on the COVID list and will miss Sunday's game vs. the Packers. Watkins isn't on the fantasy radar -- but his absence makes WR Rashod Bateman's playing time a bit safer.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) is INACTIVE for today’s game vs. the Bears. QB Tyler Huntley gets his 1st career start. Huntley went undrafted out of Utah last year and has attempted just 16 NFL passes. He completed a solid 67.2% of his college passes with 46 TDs to 20 INTs. Huntley also ran for 1,146 yards and 16 scores at Utah and is a 95th percentile athlete for his position. There’s rushing upside here, but Huntley is a clear downgrade for Baltimore’s passing game.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is active for tonight's game vs. the Dolphins. Watkins isn't a reliable fantasy play in his first action since Week 5, but his return muddies WR Rashod Bateman's outlook a bit.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Dolphins. He was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, though, so we're expecting him to play. Watkins isn't a bankable Week 10 fantasy play does add some downside to WR Rashod Bateman.

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (groin) is active for today’s game against the Vikings. WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is inactive. That makes Bateman easier to trust in fantasy lineups, although his groin issue still presents some risk.

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (groin) is expected to play vs. the Vikings today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. WR Sammy Watkins, meanwhile, is a game-time decision with his hamstring injury. Rapoport adds that Watkins has a "good shot to go." Watkins isn't a viable Week 9 fantasy play, but his return would add downside to Bateman

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (groin) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game against the Vikings. He was added to the injury report on Friday and did not practice. It's unclear if this is related to the core-muscle surgery that Bateman had in August that cost him the first 5 games of the season. "Nothing serious," HC John Harbaugh said Friday. "He's got a real good chance for Sunday. We'll just see how he feels." We'll get Baltimore's inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday, but Bateman will be a risky fantasy play if he suits up.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) did not practice on Wednesday. That's not a good start for his chances of returning for this weekend's game vs. the Vikings. Watkins' absence would make WR Rashod Bateman easier to trust in fantasy lineups.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) is out for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. That locks rookie Rashod Bateman in as Baltimore’s #2 WR.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday. We're not expecting him to play vs. the Bengals this weekend at this point. With Watkins out last week, WR Rashod Bateman played 65% of Baltimore's offensive snaps and tied for the team lead with 6 targets.

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman is active for today’s game against the Chargers. OC Greg Roman suggested earlier in the week that Bateman would be on a snap count in his NFL debut, so we'd try not to use him in Week 6 fantasy lineups.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Chargers. WR Rashod Bateman, meanwhile, is expected to make his NFL debut this weekend, HC John Harbaugh said Friday. OC Greg Roman suggested earlier in the week that Bateman would be on a snap count, so we'd try not to use the rookie in Week 6 fantasy lineups.

Ravens OC Greg Roman said Thursday that there's a "chance" WR Rashod Bateman (core) makes his debut against the Chargers this weekend. “He’s looking good," Roman added. "I don’t think we’re going to throw him into the fire every play. I think we’re going to build him into the plan every week.” It sounds like Bateman will be on some type of snap count if he does play on Sunday. The rookie isn't a Week 6 fantasy option but is still a nice bench stash for the 2nd half of the season.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins injured a hamstring in the 1st half of Monday night's game vs. the Colts and did not return. We'll look for further updates on his status. Ravens 1st-round rookie WR Rashod Bateman seems close to debuting after August core-muscle surgery.

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (core) won't play vs. the Colts tonight, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The rookie has been practicing for a couple of weeks now and should be close to making his debut. WR Miles Boykin (hamstring) is expected to be activated from IR and make his 2021 debut tonight. He'll be no better than 3rd on the WR depth chart behind Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins.

The Ravens did not place WR Rashod Bateman on the active roster, so he won't play vs. the Broncos on Sunday. It's not a major surprise considering the rookie just returned to practice this week after mid-August core-muscle surgery. We'll see if Bateman is ready to debut in Week 5. He remains a nice stash in deeper fantasy leagues.