Raven Country

Will Ravens Pick Up Rashod Bateman Fifth-Year Option?

Baltimore Ravens receiver Rashod Bateman could become a free agent after the 2024 NFL season.

Jeremy Brener

Jul 27, 2022; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) reacts during
Jul 27, 2022; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) reacts during / Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
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The Baltimore Ravens will soon have to make a big decision in regards to one of their former top draft picks.

Rashod Bateman is entering his fourth season with the Ravens, but it could be his last if the team doesn't pick up his fifth-year option.

"Bateman hasn't played at the same level as his fellow first-round picks, but he's shown flashes during his three-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens," Bleacher Report writes. "Injuries have limited him to only 34 appearances and 21 starts, but he's still managed to tally 1,167 yards and four scores on 93 catches. His upside alone would justify picking up his fifth-year option, but he'll need to show more to earn an extension beyond that."

Bateman could easily stick around with the Ravens and continue to be a weapon in Lamar Jackson's arsenal. However, he has company.

The addition of Zay Flowers, a first-round pick in 2023, has hurt Bateman's chances of becoming a long-term part of the Ravens offense. Flowers emerged immediately as the WR1 for the Ravens, catching 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns.

The Ravens could also look to draft another receiver in this year's draft, and that could be the most telling sign as to whether the team will stick around with Bateman. If there's a receiver drafted on Day 3 or no selection made at all, it likely would result in Bateman staying. However, another early-round receiver could spark the beginning of the end for Bateman in Baltimore.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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