With Rashod Bateman’s sophomore season in the books earlier than we had hoped, let’s take a look at his first two seasons as well as where his stock seems to be headed in the future.
A highly touted prospect entering the 2021 NFL draft, Bateman came into the league as an already polished route runner with well above-average athleticism. He had solid size and received first-round draft capital, and appeared to be poised for a big role as a rookie. Bateman was productive in college, winning Big 10 WR of the year as a true sophomore, and had little target competition outside of Mark Andrews in the Ravens’ offense.
Bateman’s rookie season was decent, but factoring in the high expectations of first-round receivers, a tad disappointing. Posting 46 catches for 515 yards in 12 games played and only scoring one touchdown, the raw production left quite a bit to be desired. However, Bateman flashed glimpses on tape of the receiver many expected him to be, displaying his route-running savvy and ball-tracking ability. Overall, a disappointing start, but something to build on.Â
The Ravens elected not to add any new receivers in the draft or free agency and entered this season with Bateman, Devin Duvernay, and James Proche as their top threats outside of their standout tight end, indicating the team’s faith in Bateman’s ability to step into a WR1 role- and for a couple of weeks this year, it appeared they were right. Bateman started the year off scorching hot, with 83.5 receiving yards per game in his first two starts and a touchdown in each. Showing off his athleticism after the catch and polished route running, Bateman appeared to have a big season on the horizon.Â
That’s not what happened. Bateman suffered a foot injury in week 4 against Buffalo, which appeared to be minor. After missing a pair of games, he reaggravated the injury, and things only got worse from there, with the team eventually placing Bateman on Injured Reserve following season-ending surgery to repair a lisfranc injury. The Ravens offense has crumbled in his absence, with their wide receivers only scoring one touchdown since week 3. It’s clear watching any Ravens game that they sorely miss their playmaking receiver, as many of their active players struggle to create separation like Bateman.
However, the current state of Rashod Bateman’s dynasty stock tells a different story. The consensus has dropped him quite a bit, with him being the WR37 on KeepTradeCut, with guys like Jahan Dotson, Christian Kirk, and Gabe Davis all leapfrogging him in perceived value over the course of this year. The dynasty community has seemingly abandoned Bateman for the most part.
This means the buy window for Rashod Bateman is wide open. If you can flip any of the guys previously mentioned for Bateman+ or even Bateman straight up this offseason, there’s a chance you’ve landed yourself a receiver in a WR1 role with an elite quarterback. Bateman’s 17.9% target rate will only increase as his connection with Lamar Jackson improves, and his 48.5% snap share from this season will undoubtedly go up next season. This expected added volume combined with Bateman’s proven big play ability (8th in YPT, 1st in YPR, 13th in YPRR this year) makes him a prime breakout candidate for next season in fantasy. Bateman’s upside is disproportionately massive compared to his current consensus value.Â
However, there are many valid concerns surrounding Bateman, and he’s far from a safe bet to break out next season. Bateman’s 6 drops from his 6 games played this year are still 5th in the NFL, and he has built an extensive and concerning injury history. The Ravens’ offense has not produced an elite fantasy WR in almost a decade, and they use a very run-heavy scheme that limits the upside of all pass-catchers in their offense.Â
Overall, Rashod Bateman is a compelling and polarizing asset in dynasty, both on your roster or not. His upside makes him an interesting buy if you have a frustrated league mate. However, the risk involved in investing in Bateman is absolutely a valid concern. If you can capitalize on the discounted price, Bateman has league-winning upside next year. Bateman owners should consider him a hold at the current market value, as the disproportionate upside-value ratio makes him a difficult asset to get equal value for.
Some trade ideas:
Christian Kirk for Bateman
Jahan Dotson for Bateman
Keenan Allen for Bateman
2023 2nd for Bateman
Michael Pittman for Bateman+
DeAndre Hopkins for Bateman+
2023 Mid-1 for Bateman++
Outlook: Risky, high-upside asset with WR3/Flex floor for 2023 (Buy/Hold)
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