Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has been named the team’s most underappreciated player entering the 2025 NFL season, according to NFL.com analyst Tom Blair. This recognition reflects both his resilience through early-career setbacks and his resurgence in the 2024 season, when he established himself as a critical part of the Ravens’ offense.
Bateman was selected by the Ravens with the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, coming out of the University of Minnesota with high expectations. However, the start to his NFL career was plagued by injuries that hindered his ability to make a consistent impact. Over his first two seasons, Bateman was only able to appear in 18 of a possible 35 games due to a series of core and foot injuries. These setbacks led to questions about his long-term viability as a primary receiving option for the Ravens.
That narrative began to shift dramatically in 2024. Bateman not only remained healthy throughout the season, but he also delivered the best year of his professional career. He recorded 45 receptions for a career-high 756 yards and led all Ravens wide receivers with nine touchdowns. These stats reflected not only his improving chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson but also his growth as a dependable deep and red zone threat.
Bateman had several standout performances throughout the 2024 season. In Week 7, he torched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 121 receiving yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his ability to take over games. In Week 15, he caught two touchdowns and racked up 80 receiving yards against the New York Giants, showing off his route-running precision and knack for getting open in key moments.
Despite the high-profile addition of veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the 2025 offseason, Bateman’s role in the Ravens’ offense remains as vital as ever. While Hopkins is likely to draw significant attention from opposing defenses, Bateman’s speed and ability to create separation will be instrumental in stretching the field and providing balance to Baltimore’s passing attack. Analysts note that his presence helps diversify the Ravens’ offense, making them less predictable and more dangerous in the air.
What makes Bateman “underappreciated” is not just that he plays in the shadow of stars like Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, and now Hopkins—it’s that his impact doesn’t always show up in the spotlight. Whether it’s a third-down conversion, a critical block on a run play, or simply drawing coverage to open up another receiver, Bateman contributes in ways that often go unnoticed in highlight reels.
Heading into 2025, Rashod Bateman represents a compelling story of perseverance and growth. He’s no longer just a promising first-round pick trying to stay healthy—he’s a proven asset in a Ravens offense with championship ambitions. If he continues to build on his 2024 momentum, Bateman could shift from being underappreciated to undeniable in the eyes of fans and analysts alike.
