Rashod Bateman, Ravens Agree to New Contract Before 2024 NFL Draft amid WR Rumors

Ahead of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens handed out a contract extension to wide receiver Rashod Bateman.

Bateman signed a deal that ties him to the Ravens through the 2026 season, the team announced.

The Ravens had been wrestling with the fifth-year option on Bateman's rookie contract, which had to be picked up by May 2.

General manager Eric DeCosta told reporters on April 9 that they were probably going to decide on Bateman's option closer to the deadline.

"I think we're about a month away from that decision," DeCosta said. "So, that's probably when we'll make that decision, I would think, but we'll have more to say about that probably after the Draft."

Instead, the Ravens were able to get a deal done before the draft. The extension likely means Bateman's 2025 cap hit will be lower than the $14.4 million it would have been if the option had been exercised.

Bateman was selected with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He's been a productive player through his first three seasons, though probably not at the level Baltimore was hoping for when he was originally drafted.

The 24-year-old has 1,167 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 93 catches in 34 career games. He missed five games as a rookie due to a groin injury and 11 games in 2022 due to a foot injury that required surgery.

After adding Zay Flowers in the 2023 draft, the Ravens were able to take some of the pressure off Bateman. He could take on an increased role next season with Odell Beckham Jr. still a free agent.

The Ravens could also target a receiver early in the 2024 draft, but their decision to extend Bateman for three years indicates they are comfortable going with him and Flowers as their top two outside players.