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NFL
Ravens veteran Rashod Bateman may lose reps to rookie WR's in 2026
TL;DR
Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman may lose playing time to rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt in 2026. Bateman's inconsistent performance and injury history raise concerns about his role in the team's offense.
Key points
- Rashod Bateman may lose reps to rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt
- Bateman played only 13 games in 2025
- Devontez Walker had more touchdowns than Bateman with fewer targets
- The Ravens plan to switch to 11-personnel offense
- Bateman needs to prove he belongs in the top three depth chart slots
Baltimore RavensCleveland BrownsNew York Giants
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has the talent, but so do his rookie teammates Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt. Also, third-year receiver Devontez Walker posted more touchdown receptions than Bateman while receiving 30 fewer targets in 2025. These uncomfortable and neglected statistics hint at a truth that may explain why head coach Jesse Minter, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, and general manager Eric DeCosta agreed to select Lane and Sarratt in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Bateman played only 13 games last season, and his skill set wasn't exactly optimized under Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken (the former Ravens offensive coordinator). However, Bateman still came up empty on 50% of his targets while playing in the AFC North, where only one team ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers needs legitimate help, and Bateman has been bland at best despite consecutive seasons of empty promises.
Doyle can and will be looking to change the dynamic for Bateman, but unlike Monken, Doyle won't be as hesitant to give the rookies a chance to play with quarterback Lamar Jackson if he believes they provide a better spark. The departures of both current players, and fullback , almost assure that Doyle plans to switch the offense to 11-personnel. If so, Bateman must prove consistently that he belongs within the top three slots on the team depth chart.
Q&A
How might Rashod Bateman's role change in the Ravens' offense for 2026?
Rashod Bateman may see reduced playing time as rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt are expected to compete for his position in the offense.
What were Rashod Bateman's statistics in the 2025 NFL season?
In the 2025 season, Rashod Bateman played 13 games and had a concerning 50% target completion rate, while teammate Devontez Walker had more touchdowns with fewer targets.
Why did the Ravens draft rookie wide receivers in 2026?
The Ravens drafted rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt to enhance their receiving corps, as Bateman's performance has been underwhelming and they need more offensive support.
