Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Marvin Mims Jr.

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.

Sunday, August 10, 12:41 AM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. notably participated in all three series with the first-string offense during Saturday's 30-9 win against the San Francisco 49ers. Mims Jr. and the rest of the starters played into the second quarter in their preseason debut, and it likely would have been just two opportunities if their second possession didn't end in an intentional grounding-induced safety. The 23-year-old pulled in his lone target for a gain of three yards, which is negligible primarily, as the real story here is that he left the field, while fellow wideouts Pat Bryant, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin finished out the half. That Mims Jr. is locked in as the team's No. 2 pass-catcher isn't set in stone, but he seems to be at least leading the rest of the pack at this point. He's currently an afterthought in drafts, selected just inside the top 300.