Should I Start Rashod Bateman?

Saturday, October 3, 7:30 AM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman could not repeat his electric Week 2 performance in Week 3 against the Cowboys in Brazil, with fellow wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) returning from injury. He hauled in just two of his three targets for 37 yards despite running the most routes (20) of any Ravens pass catcher. The Ravens return to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 4, and Bateman is poised to reprise his background role. The sixth-year wideout leads the team in routes run (79) and has an 86% snap share, but has a meager 15% target share. The veteran out of Minnesota still has home-run potential, so he remains an intriguing option for deep-league managers. He has seen a red zone target in two straight games, and his 13.1 air yards per target puts him in the top 20% of all qualified receivers in the league. However, the Titans' pass defense has played teams tight and has allowed the fifth-fewest intermediate (10-19 air yards) pass plays (16) and fifth-fewest deep (20+ air yards) plays (6) through three games, which further limits Bateman, who has run 70% of routes from a wide alignment. The 26-year-old receiver remains quarterback Lamar Jackson's second choice behind Flowers, with rookie Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) still on IR and veteran tight end Mark Andrews having a sluggish start. Bateman is RotoBaller's WR49 going into Week 4 and is primarily a deep-league WR4/Flex option, especially for managers dealing with early-season injuries to their wide receiver corps.