The Baltimore Ravens have been a Super Bowl contender for a while now. However, not even Lamar Jackson has been able to guide the team all the way to a championship. One of those criticisms has been the wide receivers, and the narrative is they havenāt been good enough at times. One of those weapons gave an interview to The Insiders, and he reaveled the WR crew is ready to change that this NFL season.
Just a couple of weeks after signing a three-year, $36.75 million extension, Bateman is ready to prove his worth. After all, Bateman has all the reasons to be excited and filled with confidence. In 2024, Bateman had a career year as he racked up 45 catches, 756 yards and a staggering 9 touchdowns.
Speaking to NFL Network Insiders, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Bateman said, āThereās a lot of love and respect that comes with a team that drafted you and I wanted to flip that narrative of receivers here and I definitely think weāre on the right track of doing that. Not really looking for nobody elseās validation but it feels good, somewhat, to be in the midst now headed down that right track.ā
The Ravens now have a dangerous WR corp
While Batemanās extension keeps a big weapon on their roster, the Ravens have made moves to strengthen their skill players. Baltimore signed DeAndre Hopkins. While D-Hop is not precisely in his prime anymore, he is still a good weapon to have, especially if lined up against lesser defensive backs.
Rashod Bateman #7 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This because the Ravens have an established first option for Lamar Jackson, and that is Zay Flowers. Hailing from Boston College, Flowers will enter his third season in the NFL as the Ravensā best weapon.
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He had 1,059 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. He also was selected to the Pro-Bowl. If you have Flowers, Bateman and Hopkins, the narrative may change in a hurry.
Baltimore should be an offensive juggernaut
Weāve talked about the WR corp, but letās not forget the Ravens are loaded on other positions. They might have the best tight end duo in the league with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Andrews had an up-and-down season but that means heās coming back with a vengeance.
In the rushing department, they have Derrick Henry, who is arguably the best running back in the league. Not to mention Lamarās ability to run the football, he is the personification of a dual-threat QB. With all this in mind, Baltimore should once again be looking for that Super Bowl win.
