Photography courtesy Baltimore Ravens
It’s a constant search for the Baltimore Ravens: finding a No. 1 receiver. They like acquiring big-name free agents; in recent years, Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin certainly fit that top receiver label. But Baltimore never seemed to get it right when drafting receivers—until Marquise Brown in 2019.
But Brown is gone. After emerging as a No. 1 last year with 91 catches, 1,008 yards, and six touchdowns, he requested a trade. Baltimore shipped him off to Arizona on draft day.
With Brown’s spot open, second-year player Rashod Bateman appears poised to claim it. The 2021 first-round pick out of the University of Minnesota possesses the size (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) and speed (4.43 in 40-yard dash) to be elite. Bateman caught 46 passes last year for 515 yards in 12 games after missing two months with a groin injury he sustained in the preseason.
Bateman showed a glimpse of potential in a late-season loss to Cleveland, catching seven passes for 103 yards. “Marquise was traded, so I have a chance to step into his role,” Bateman says. “I have all the confidence that it’s going to happen.”
Bateman has trained on and off the field to get ready for the jump. For nearly a week, he worked out with former league MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson—running routes and catching hundreds of passes—to improve their synergy.
Bateman, a Georgia native, who regularly works out four hours a day, on and off the field, says “I am bigger and faster. I am quicker, shiftier, and more mobile.”
We talked to Bateman about running plays with Jackson, his NFL role model, his college experience, and how he splurged when he got his $6.5 million signing bonus.
Photography courtesy Baltimore Ravens
Did getting together with Jackson help you?
We worked out in Huntington Beach, California. We had talked about it prior to the season ending. We just wanted to get some work in because I would be taking on a bigger role this season. To get the work in and the chemistry down was great. I got to know him better in terms of what he’s thinking on the field and him knowing what I do and think. Communication is a big thing in football between the quarterback and receiver.
What veteran or veterans have helped you in your career and have become your friends?
I would say (Oakland Raiders and former Green Bay five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver) Davante Adams. I have been able to talk to him a lot and I have a great relationship with him. He is probably the only wide receiver I study. I model my game after him. Being able to learn from him and communicate with him has been very helpful. I met him through (Ravens) passing game specialist Kim Williams. Williams coached him at Fresno State and once I got to the Ravens, he introduced me to him.
What type of workouts do you do in the weight room and elsewhere?
I work out about four hours a day. I will be in the weight room for another two hours. When I get a break, I set up recovery time with my trainer and do yoga. Yoga was a big part of my offseason this year because I had a core muscle injury. I got more flexible, more range of motion, and worked on my hips.
What was your reaction to Marquise Brown getting traded?
I have a lot of respect for him because I had a great relationship with him. I was kind of sad. I thought about what could have been this season. After that, I thought about myself and how I can help the Ravens. It’s my time to perform and step into the role.
You missed some time your rookie season because of the injury, but 46 receptions are something to build on.
At the beginning of the season, I got hurt. But I took time to look at the whole season for what it really was. I took advantage of my opportunities in each game, and I really grew. I felt I showed what I really can do.
Can you describe your relationship with your position coach, Tee Martin?
I have a really good relationship with him. I was in contact with him during the offseason a lot and let him know about what I was doing. He was giving me tips. It was a lot of communication on what I did last year and what I can improve on this year.
How did you end up at the University of Minnesota? What other schools were in the mix?
They were the first Power 5 School to offer me a scholarship, so I committed to them. There were a lot of SEC schools that offered me later: Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. But I stayed committed to Minnesota.
What was the first thing you bought when you got an NFL signing bonus?
I bought my mother a house and I bought myself a car. It’s a Mercedes G wagon.
