Bleacher Report names Ravens’ biggest X-factor for 2022 season
The Baltimore Ravens have many players on their roster with the potential to step up in a big way during the 2022 season. They’ll be relying on young players as well as veterans at multiple positions that could have big seasons, with many potential breakout candidates.
When listing out each NFL team’s biggest X-factor for the 2022 season, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report picked wide receiver Rashod Bateman for Baltimore. He discussed how Bateman has to step up after the departure of wide receivers Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins from the Ravens’ offense.
“In today’s NFL, you aren’t going to win consistently unless you can throw the ball. And while the Baltimore Ravens have one of the league’s best tight ends in Mark Andrews, second-year wideout Rashod Bateman is their biggest X-factor given the state of their receiving corps…Veteran receiver Sammy Watkins left Baltimore for Green Bay in free agency, and the Ravens shipped fellow wideout Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals for the No. 23 pick. That leaves Bateman as the team’s top receiver after an injury-marred rookie year in which he caught 46 passes for 515 yards and one touchdown in 12 games.”
Bateman showed plenty of potential during his rookie season, and despite missing five games with an injury he suffered during training camp he made a big impact in multiple big games for the team. He’s a phenomenal route runner, has solid hands and is able to beat defenders in a multitude of ways. With a full offseason under his belt and a much bigger role awaiting him, Bateman could be in store for a massive year in 2022.
