When the Baltimore Ravens traded Marquise Brown to Arizona during the 2022 NFL Draft, it thrust second-year receiver Rashod Bateman into the No. 1 wideout role.
After a solid rookie season, Bateman is looking forward to meeting those expectations.
"That's the role that I've always wanted to be in," Bateman said, . "I'm excited to take that role."
A groin injury got Bateman's rookie season off to a slow start, as he missed the first five games. But as he became more immersed in the offense, it was easy to see the talent that made him a first-round pick.
Bateman finished the season with 46 catches for 515 yards and a touchdown. They're numbers he could more than double as the Ravens' go-to target.
"He's getting open at the line super, super quick," tight end Mark Andrews said of Bateman. "And then he's got a burst of speed people don't really talk about. Second-year, he's a guy that's just gonna get better and better and better. The sky's the limit for him."
The Ravens traded away Brown and didn't use a draft pick on a receiver, signaling their faith that Bateman can be that alpha who can win against double coverages. At the top of Baltimore's WR depth chart sits Bateman, Devin Duvernay and James Proche -- none have hit the 60 career catch mark yet.
