Pundits Say Contributions of Rashod Bateman, Travis Jones Should Not be Overlooked
The Ravens have a roster loaded with Pro Bowlers, but they also have less-heralded players who are significant contributors.
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and defensive tackle Travis Jones are prime examples of talented players who fly under the radar outside of Baltimore.
NFL.com’s Tom Blair named Bateman the Ravens’ most “underappreciated” player.
“In Baltimore, wideouts tend to play second, third and fourth fiddle to running backs, tight ends and, duh, Lamar Jackson. If you’re a secondary receiver, like Bateman, well, you’re gonna have to search the back room for fiddle No. 5,” Blair wrote. “Bateman was drafted with a first-round pick (No. 27 overall) in 2021 but spent most of his early career on the fringes of the offensive picture, thanks in large part to injuries that cost him big chunks of Years 1 and 2. So his elevation to productive WR2 in 2024 (he posted 45 catches, 756 receiving yards and nine receiving TDs, all personal highs) counts as a true breakout.
“He also tallied 35 receiving first downs, marking the first time in Jackson’s career that more than two Baltimore pass-catchers posted 30 or more (Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews were the others). It is probably not a coincidence that Jackson hit new heights as a passer in 2024, performing so well that it felt like an upset when he didn’t win a second consecutive MVP. The signing of DeAndre Hopkins might suppress Bateman’s numbers a bit in 2025; then again, the addition of a more famous name to the position group chart only solidifies Bateman’s spot here.”
As for Jones, he was labeled the Ravens’ best-kept secret by Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder.
“While Jones hasn’t put up many eye-popping box score statistics over the last three seasons, he does a lot of the grunt work in the trenches,” Holder wrote. “Last year, he posted a 73.2 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus and had 30 total pressures during the regular season.
“Especially with Michael Pierce retiring this offseason, expect Jones to stand out more on the Ravens’ defense this fall.”