Rashod Bateman Activated Off Injured Reserve, Rest of Season Fantasy Outlook Set to Explode

You need to add this significant piece of the Ravens' offense.

The Ravens experienced a number of significant injuries during this young season and first-round receiver Rashod Bateman was the first. After missing the first three weeks of the season to recover from August groin surgery, the team activated the rookie wideout off injured reserve on Wednesday and they will have 21 days to elevate him to the 53-man roster.

We’ve told you a number of times to stash Bateman if your league had an IR spot, but if you haven’t, the time is now to add Lamar Jackson’s potential WR1 while he is still available in 82 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

“They’re both going to come back and practice and we’ll see where that takes us,” HC John Harbaugh said on Monday.

While it’s only “possible” the rookie plays this week, that’s irrelevant. We’re looking long-term here and his upside in an improved passing offense is immense. Bateman lit up camp prior to his injury and showed immediate rapport with Jackson. He also brings a different skill-set to the table that Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins, and Mark Andrews cannot replicate.

The former Gopher had more receptions (46) in 2019 on 10-plus yard throws than any other collegiate wideout — a list highlighted by Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Jerry Jeudy. And although he’s no monster standing at 6-foot, 190 lbs, he’s was often compared to Stefon Diggs and Keenan Allen during the draft process.

“The thing that hits my brain is ‘Right place, right time’ when I think about Rashod Bateman here with the Ravens,” OC Greg Roman said back in June. “Because I think he brings a style that is really going to complement the guys who are here right now…Definitely, some things that people are going to see from us that they haven’t seen before.”

Not only will Bateman have his own 2021 fantasy upside, but he should be the perfect compliment to Hollywood Brown and he should provide a fantasy boost to Jackson, who is the current QB5.

The Wolf ranks Bateman WR69 (nice) on his 2021 Rest of Season Fantasy Football Rankings.

Rashod Bateman is currently priced at $4.13 on PredictionStrike. While the price is a bit high for our liking, it shows the upside is there for the rookie. Wait for the hype to subside before going all-in on Lamar Jackson’s potential WR1. Download the PredictionStrike app and use promo code RSJ to get a free NFL player stock worth up to $50 on a $20 deposit. 

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