50 Facts About Rashod Bateman

Rashod Bateman: A Rising Star in Football

Rashod Bateman's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick is nothing short of inspiring. His story is filled with resilience, determination, and exceptional talent. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this remarkable athlete.

1. Birthdate and Age: Rashod Bateman was born on November 29, 1999, making him 24 years old as of October 2024.

2. Height and Weight: Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 195 pounds, Bateman has the ideal build for a wide receiver.

3. College: He played college football at the University of Minnesota, where he became a standout player for the Golden Gophers.

4. Draft Position: Bateman was the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, selected by the Baltimore Ravens.

5. Draft Year: The 2021 NFL Draft marked his transition from college football to the professional league.

College Achievements and Challenges

Bateman's college career was marked by impressive performances and personal challenges that shaped his path to the NFL.

6. College Dominance: In his sophomore year (2019), he recorded an impressive 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns.

7. High School Background: Despite being overlooked in high school, his determination and work ethic were evident early on.

8. Childhood Trauma: Bateman experienced frequent abuse as a child, which profoundly impacted his life and resilience.

9. Mother's Influence: His mother, LaShonda Cromer, was a former high school point guard turned teacher who instilled a strong work ethic and love for football in him.

10. Football as Escape: Football served as a comfort and escape during his traumatic childhood. He slept with a Wilson football every night, symbolizing his deep connection to the sport.

Transition to the NFL

Bateman's transition to the NFL was marked by significant decisions and challenges that showcased his maturity and leadership.

11. Opt-Out Decision: In 2020, Bateman opted out of the Minnesota season due to COVID-19 health concerns, demonstrating maturity in making life-altering choices.

12. Medical Complications: He has been asthmatic since childhood and faced severe health issues during the pandemic, including a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

13. Leadership Skills: His decision to opt out of the season highlighted his leadership skills, prioritizing health and well-being amidst the pandemic.

14. Maturity and Confidence: The experiences of 2020 significantly matured and prepared him for professional football challenges.

15. NFL Debut: Bateman made his NFL debut with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, marking a significant milestone in his career.

NFL Career Highlights

Bateman's NFL career has been a mix of promising performances and setbacks, showcasing his potential and resilience.

16. Rookie Season: In his rookie season, Bateman quickly established himself as a key player, with 6 or more targets in each of his first five games.

17. Injury Setbacks: Despite a promising start, he suffered a Lisfranc injury in 2022, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. He reaggravated the injury in training camp the following year, leading to limited playing time in 2023.

18. Contract Extension: In January 2024, the Ravens extended Bateman's contract, indicating their confidence in his potential and commitment to his development.

19. Recent Performance: As of the 2024 season, Bateman has shown promising signs, recording 273 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in just six games.

20. Fantasy Football Rankings: In fantasy football rankings, Bateman has been steadily improving, with a current ranking of #54 in fantasy points per game.

Advanced Metrics and Performance

Bateman's performance metrics highlight his effectiveness on the field and potential for growth.

21. Advanced Metrics: Metrics such as target share, catch rate, and yards per target have been favorable for Bateman, indicating his effectiveness on the field.

22. Route Participation: He has demonstrated high route participation rates, with a route percentage of 28% in 2024, showcasing his importance in the Ravens' offense.

23. Target Accuracy: His target accuracy is high, with a rate of 63.9% against man coverage in 2024, highlighting his ability to make plays in various defensive schemes.

24. Yards Per Route Run: Bateman's yards per route run (YPRR) is impressive, averaging 12.2 yards per route in 2024, significantly higher than the league average.

25. Formation Adjusted YPRR: His formation-adjusted YPRR is notable, indicating strong performance across different formations and alignments.

Fantasy Football Impact

Bateman's impact in fantasy football leagues is noteworthy, making him a valuable asset for fantasy managers.

26. Production Premium: Bateman's production premium is high, suggesting consistent outperformance of expected fantasy points.

27. Expected Points Added (EPA): His EPA is positive, indicating significant contributions to the Ravens' scoring efforts in real games and fantasy scoring systems.

28. QB Rating Per Target: Bateman's quarterback rating per target is high, reflecting strong chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson.

29. Best Ball Points Added: In best ball formats, Bateman has added significant points, showcasing reliability and consistency in scoring opportunities.

30. Fantasy Points Per Route Run: His fantasy points per route run are among the highest in the league, making him a top-tier receiver in fantasy football.

Career Stats and Achievements

Bateman's career stats reflect his growth and potential as a top-tier receiver in the NFL.

31. Fantasy Points Per Target: Bateman's fantasy points per target are impressive, averaging 0.34 points per target in 2024, significantly higher than the league average.

32. Total Fantasy Points: As of the 2024 season, Bateman has accumulated a total of 36 fantasy points, placing him among the top receivers in the league.

33. Route Win Rate: His route win rate is high, indicating consistent wins in matchups against defenders, leading to significant gains and touchdowns.

34. Target Rate vs Man: Bateman's target rate against man coverage is high, reflecting his ability to make plays in tight coverage situations.

35. Target Separation vs Man: His target separation against man coverage is notable, showcasing his ability to create space and make catches in traffic.

36. Fantasy Points Per Target vs Man: In matchups against man coverage, Bateman's fantasy points per target are significantly higher than the league average, highlighting his effectiveness in these situations.

37. Career Stats: As of the 2024 season, Bateman has played 41 games, recording 110 receptions for 1,440 yards and 6 touchdowns.

38. Career Receiving Yards Per Game: His career receiving yards per game average is 13.1 yards, a respectable figure for a young receiver.

39. Career Touchdowns: Bateman has scored 6 touchdowns in his career so far, demonstrating his ability to find the end zone consistently.

40. Career Longest Reception: His longest reception in his career is 75 yards, showcasing his deep-ball capability.

41. Career First Downs: Bateman has recorded 70 first downs in his career, indicating his role as a key contributor to the Ravens' offense.

42. Career Fumbles: He has fumbled the ball once in his career, highlighting his reliability and ball security.

43. Career Special Teams Yards: Bateman has contributed on special teams, recording 18 yards in his career, although this is not a significant part of his game.

College Career Highlights

Bateman's college career set the stage for his success in the NFL, with impressive stats and performances.

44. College Career Stats: In college, Bateman played 13 games in 2018 and 13 games in 2019. He recorded 51 receptions for 704 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2018 and 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019.

45. College Receiving Yards Per Game: His college receiving yards per game average was 13.8 yards in 2018 and 20.3 yards in 2019, demonstrating impressive production at the collegiate level.

46. College Catch Rate: Bateman's college catch rate was 51% in 2018 and 61.2% in 2019, indicating his ability to make catches consistently.

47. College Target Share: He had a target share of 28.9% in 2018 and 30.4% in 2019, reflecting his importance in the Golden Gophers' offense.

48. College Route Participation: Bateman's route participation rate was high in college, with a participation rate of 15.4% in 2018 and 15.4% in 2019, showcasing his role as a key receiver.

49. Breakout Year Precedents: There are precedents for receivers having breakout years in their fourth season or later. Examples include Antonio Brown, Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Robert Woods, Tyler Lockett, Mike Williams, Christian Kirk, and Terry McLaurin.

50. Future Prospects: Despite challenges, including injuries and setbacks, Rashod Bateman remains a promising player with significant potential for growth and success in the NFL. His recent contract extension and positive performance metrics suggest he is on the path to becoming a top-tier receiver in the league.

Rashod Bateman: A Rising Star

Rashod Bateman's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick is nothing short of inspiring. His resilience and determination have been key in overcoming obstacles, including childhood trauma and health issues. Bateman's college career at the University of Minnesota showcased his exceptional talent, with standout performances that caught the attention of NFL scouts. Despite setbacks like injuries, his potential remains undeniable. The Baltimore Ravens recognized this, extending his contract and showing faith in his future contributions. Bateman's impressive stats, both in real games and fantasy football, highlight his effectiveness on the field. With a strong work ethic instilled by his mother, LaShonda Cromer, and a deep connection to football, Bateman is poised for continued success. As he grows and develops, fans eagerly anticipate his impact in the NFL, hoping to see him reach his full potential as a top-tier receiver.