Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Zachariah Branch
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
Friday, July 17, 5:52 PM
Clifton Brown of the Baltimore Ravens official website lists veteran wide receiver Rashod Bateman as a projected starter for the 2026 season. Brown adds that Bateman is "looking for a healthy and productive campaign" after playing in 13 games and catching just 19 passes on 38 targets for 224 yards and two touchdowns in his fifth year in the NFL. It was even more of a disappointment after the 26-year-old had a career-best 756 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 45 catches in 17 regular-season games in 2024. Bateman could be considered a bounce-back candidate in 2026, but with no ties to the new regime in Baltimore after they fired long-time head coach John Harbaugh this offseason, it's extremely hard to recommend the former first-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Minnesota as anything more than a low-upside dart throw late in deep-league drafts. The Ravens don't have excellent WR depth behind WR1 Zay Flowers, but they did draft rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, who both should have more short- and long-term upside than Bateman.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 20.7 | 0.1 |
Zachariah Branch News
Monday, July 20, 9:49 AM
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch has the speed to make Atlanta find room for him. How much room, and how soon, is the harder part. The Falcons selected Branch 79th overall after he set a Georgia single-season record with 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns. Much of his work came after the catch, and he also returned punts and kickoffs. Atlanta can manufacture touches for him. Branch offered a glimpse at minicamp when he took a quick screen about 55 yards for a touchdown, though one spring play does not settle anything. Drake London is the clear No. 1 receiver. Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus bring enough experience to enter camp ahead of Branch for the next two spots, while Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts will remain heavily involved. The quarterback job is unsettled between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa, too. Branch has a real chance to contribute early as a returner and on schemed touches. A dependable route load may take longer. He carries more appeal as a dynasty stash for rebuilders than as an immediate redraft option, but deep-league managers should keep his name nearby.
Rashod Bateman vs. Zachariah Branch
Still trying to decide between Bateman and Branch? 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 Zachariah Branch is projected to score 4.4 points.
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