Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Jayden Reed

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.

Monday, July 28, 3:37 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed worked with the starters in two-WR sets during practice on Monday, according to Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day podcast. That's a rarity for Reed, who totaled a meager 33 snaps in two-receiver sets during his first two seasons in the league. Despite somewhat limited usage, the former second-round pick from Michigan State still averaged around 60 catches, 85 targets, 825 yards, and seven touchdowns from 2023-24. While Reed does have issues with drops (he had 10 last year), he'd have significant upside if he were to accrue more snaps opposite Romeo Doubs. One potential problem for Reed is that the role may go to Matthew Golden, Green Bay's first-round pick in this year's draft.