Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Josh Downs

Saturday, October 17, 1:45 AM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (shoulder) was on the injury report ahead of the team's Week 6 tilt against the Browns in Cleveland, but logged a full practice on Friday and is now clear of an injury designation. Bateman's production improved slightly as backup quarterback Tyler Huntley filled in for injured Lamar Jackson (ankle), who is out again this week. The team's WR2 hauled in five of his six targets for 62 yards, and his 41.2% air-yards share was his highest of the 2026 season. Bateman is also averaging 12.2 air yards per target, which places him in the top quarter of qualified receivers in the league. Although his week-to-week fantasy output is inconsistent, Bateman is routinely involved in the Ravens' passing attack, averaging 19% target share and an 87% route-running rate through five games. This week, Bateman emerged as a potential trade candidate, according to ESPN's NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, who noted teams have shown interest in him in the past and that he has a tradeable contract. Deep league managers with Bateman on the end of their bench may want to hold him through the early November NFL trade deadline, as a change of scenery could bump him up to fringe WR3/Flex territory as we saw in 2024. However, in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, with a relatively low over/under and a potentially slow AFC North battle, Bateman remains a low-end WR4/Flex option in deep leagues.