Why This Former First-Round Pick Faces Immense Pressure to Deliver for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 NFL Season
The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2025 NFL season with one of the most complete rosters in the league, a perennial contender boasting elite talent on both sides of the ball. They have their franchise quarterback in Lamar Jackson, one of the NFL’s top tight ends in Mark Andrews, a deep and explosive receiving corps led by Zay Flowers, and a retooled defense that continues to carry the identity of toughness that defines Baltimore football. But even on a roster filled with Pro Bowlers and dependable veterans, one player stands out as carrying more pressure than any other—wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
It’s no secret that the Ravens have had their share of struggles drafting and developing wide receivers. Since the franchise’s inception, Baltimore has built its success on elite defenses, dominant running games, and efficient quarterback play. However, the wide receiver position has often lagged behind. Over the years, they’ve cycled through first-round draft picks and high-profile signings that never lived up to expectations. In 2021, the Ravens hoped to change that narrative when they selected Rashod Bateman with the 27th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Fast forward to 2025, and Bateman’s journey with the team has been anything but smooth. Plagued by injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of chemistry in the offense, he’s now entering what may very well be a make-or-break year. With Baltimore’s window to win a Super Bowl wide open, the pressure on Bateman to finally live up to his draft billing is greater than ever.
Coming out of the University of Minnesota, Bateman was heralded as a polished route runner with strong hands, great separation skills, and the ability to be a true WR1. He was supposed to be the long-term solution to Baltimore’s wide receiver woes, giving Lamar Jackson the reliable outside weapon he had never truly had. But through his first three seasons, Bateman struggled to stay on the field. Injuries disrupted his rookie year, a foot fracture shortened his sophomore campaign, and even in 2024, when he managed to stay relatively healthy, he never truly broke out.
In 2024, Bateman recorded just 38 catches for 434 yards and two touchdowns—numbers that would be underwhelming for a third-round pick, let alone a first-rounder expected to carry WR1 responsibilities. While Zay Flowers emerged as Jackson’s top target and a rising star in the league, Bateman often appeared to be the forgotten man in the offense. Even veteran additions like Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. (in 2023) had stretches where they outproduced him. Now in his fourth year, with no fifth-year option picked up by the team, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Part of the pressure stems from the high expectations that come with being a first-round receiver. In today’s NFL, wide receivers drafted in the first round are expected to contribute immediately. Look across the league—players like Ja’Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson, and CeeDee Lamb have all quickly established themselves as stars. Bateman, however, has yet to post even a 600-yard season. While it’s true that health has played a major role in his slow development, NFL careers are measured by production, not potential. And entering 2025, the excuses are running out.
The Ravens’ offense is designed to maximize speed and spacing. Todd Monken’s scheme provides opportunities for explosive plays and places a premium on route precision and yards after catch. Zay Flowers has thrived in that system, and tight end Mark Andrews remains a constant threat in the middle of the field. With Derrick Henry now in the fold as the lead running back, opposing defenses will be forced to load the box more frequently, opening up one-on-one opportunities on the outside. In theory, that should benefit Bateman more than anyone else. He’ll often find himself facing single coverage against a defense that’s already stretched thin trying to account for Jackson’s dual-threat abilities.
But that opportunity only matters if Bateman is ready to seize it.
The pressure on Bateman isn’t just external—it’s internal too. This is his contract year. With the Ravens declining his fifth-year option, Bateman is effectively playing for his future in the NFL. A strong season could land him a big second contract, whether with Baltimore or another team. A disappointing year, however, could see him relegated to the journeyman track, battling for short-term deals as a WR3 or WR4. The difference between those two outcomes is massive, not only financially but in terms of legacy and relevance.
From the team’s perspective, Bateman emerging as a consistent threat would transform an already-dangerous offense into one of the league’s most lethal units. Lamar Jackson is in his prime and coming off another MVP-caliber season. Derrick Henry brings a physical edge to the run game. Zay Flowers is blossoming into a top-tier wideout. If Bateman can deliver as a true complement, the Ravens become nearly impossible to defend. He doesn’t have to be a 1,300-yard receiver—600 to 800 yards, a handful of touchdowns, and the ability to convert key third downs would be more than enough to reshape the perception around him.
But the pressure is real. And it comes from multiple fronts.
The media has not been shy about pointing out Bateman’s underwhelming career to date. Pundits have labeled him a “bust,” and fantasy analysts routinely advise against drafting him. Even some Ravens fans have voiced frustration over his lack of production, especially when watching other 2021 first-rounders flourish. Bateman is acutely aware of the noise. He’s acknowledged it in interviews, often expressing his desire to stay healthy and prove people wrong. But desire alone won’t change the narrative. Only production will.
There’s also pressure from within the locker room. The Ravens are a veteran team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Players like Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Ronnie Stanley, and Marlon Humphrey know what it takes to win. They also know that every roster spot, every route, and every snap matters. If Bateman isn’t delivering, someone else will take his place. Young receivers like Devontez Walker and Tylan Wallace are hungry for reps, and Baltimore’s front office has never been shy about making bold moves mid-season if they feel an upgrade is needed.
And let’s not forget the pressure from opposing defenses. Bateman will be tested. Defensive coordinators are going to force him to prove he can win one-on-one matchups. They’ll shade coverage toward Flowers and Andrews and dare Bateman to beat them. If he can’t consistently separate, make contested catches, and provide a vertical threat, his role will diminish quickly.
All of this makes Rashod Bateman the Ravens player under the most pressure in 2025. Not Lamar Jackson, who has already earned an MVP and a massive contract. Not Mark Andrews, who is a proven star. Not even Derrick Henry, whose Hall of Fame resume is already largely written. No, the spotlight this season falls squarely on Bateman’s shoulders. He has everything to gain, and just as much to lose.
If he responds with a breakout year, he could rewrite his narrative, secure a major contract, and help push the Ravens over the championship hump. But if the struggles continue, his future in Baltimore—and perhaps his future as a starting-caliber wideout in the NFL—will be in serious jeopardy.
In a league driven by production and availability, this is the moment of truth for Rashod Bateman. The Ravens are poised to compete for a Lombardi Trophy. Whether or not Bateman finally becomes the player he was drafted to be may well determine just how far they go.
