Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Malik Washington


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
6.2 0.0 0.0 1.9 28.8 0.2

Rashod Bateman News

Ravens Unclear When NFL Will End Its Investigation of Rashod Bateman

Wednesday, September 2, 1:37 PM

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said on Wednesday that he does not know when the NFL will finalize its investigation into wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who was arrested on family-violence charges in June, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Bateman's fantasy football value was already down going into the 2026 season, and a potential suspension to begin the year makes him undraftable in 12-team single-year leagues. The 26-year-old is the WR2 on Baltimore's depth chart behind Zay Flowers, but even without a potential suspension, the possibility of impressive rookie Ja'Kobi Lane passing him on the depth chart sooner rather than later seems high. The former 27th overall pick in 2021 from Minnesota broke out for 756 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, both career highs, but he regressed to a 19-224-2 line in 13 games in 2025 with quarterback Lamar Jackson dealing with injuries mostly all year. Outside of what looks like his 2024 outlier, Bateman has not had more than 46 catches, 515 yards, or two touchdowns in his other four NFL seasons.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
6.4 5.1 0.0 2.5 23.6 0.1

Malik Washington News

Malik Washington Strengthening His Hold on a Starting Role

Wednesday, August 26, 11:27 AM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has strengthened his redraft outlook by holding onto a prominent role in one of the NFL's most unsettled receiving corps. Washington opened the preseason with Miami's first-team offense against the Commanders and caught all three of his targets for 15 yards, including receptions on the Dolphins' first two offensive plays. He did not play against the Giants on Saturday, but Miami's current depth chart still lists him as a starter alongside Caleb Douglas and Jalen Tolbert. Washington also brings useful returning production after catching 46 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns last season, while adding 110 rushing yards and another score on 17 carries. The ceiling remains uncertain. Washington averaged only 6.9 yards per reception in 2025, Douglas has been one of Miami's better camp performers, and Chris Bell is now back in team drills. Still, Washington has done enough to remain near the front of the receiver rotation entering the final week of the preseason. RotoBaller's half-PPR rankings list him as WR81, and his combination of first-team usage and short-area volume makes him a reasonable late-round target in deeper redraft leagues.


Rashod Bateman vs. Malik Washington

Still trying to decide between Bateman and Washington? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rashod Bateman is projected to score 6.2 points this week while Malik Washington is projected to score 6.4 points.