Rashod Bateman

WR, BAL

Bateman is a Ravens wide receiver whose fantasy value right now is almost entirely a function of Zay Flowers' hamstring status — with Flowers out and depth pieces Tez Walker and Jacoby Lane also injured, he's the clear WR1 in Lamar Jackson's offense, running near-full route shares and target volume. Coming off a 7-88-1 game on 9 targets, he's viewed as a legit start whenever Flowers sits, but shows agree his role shrinks fast once Flowers is back.

Coverage tracked an injury cascade: after Jacoby Lane hit IR and Flowers banged up his hamstring, The Audible and FantasyPros flagged Bateman as the last healthy Ravens receiver as early as Sept 14, with Harris Fantasy Football Podcast staying skeptical due to a poor Week 1 target total. His 7-88-1 breakout against the Saints (Sept 22) flipped nearly every show — Fantasy Focus, Fantasy Life, RotoWire, and Fantasy Football Today all called him must-start with Flowers out, though several (Fantasy Focus, Yahoo, The Late-Round Podcast) stress this is a short-term add that evaporates once Flowers returns. FantasyPros is the outlier, arguing his target share retains WR3/4 value even after Flowers is back given Mark Andrews' decline.

The line: Start him confidently while Flowers sits, but treat him as a rental — his role shrinks the moment Flowers is healthy. · updated Sep 27

Sunday, September 27

▶ Fantasy Football Today: Ranked WR25 if Flowers sits, closer to WR35 if Flowers plays. listen ↗

Saturday, September 26

▲ RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Coming off a 7-88-1 line, he's a strong flex play especially if Zay Flowers sits, in a high-scoring Baltimore-Dallas matchup. listen ↗

Friday, September 25

With Flowers banged up, Bateman steps into a legit WR2 role and start-worthy volume this week; one show still frames him as more of a value/middle-tier asset than a true stud, but nobody's fading him.

▲ Fantasy Focus Football: Would see a flex-worthy target bump if Zay Flowers sits, especially in a high-scoring game environment. listen ↗

▲ Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast: Would rise significantly in rankings/lineups if Zay Flowers is confirmed out. listen ↗

▲ Fantasy Football Today: Had 9 targets last week and is a must-start whether or not Zay Flowers plays, given his strong target-based scoring history. listen ↗

▲ The Audible: Likely to again serve as the de facto WR1 with Flowers banged up; viewed as a legit WR2 this week. listen ↗

▶ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Cited as an example of a middle-tier, under-the-radar guillotine league target rather than overspending on a shiny stud. listen ↗

Thursday, September 24

▶ Fantasy Football Today: Value hinges entirely on Zay Flowers' health — a top-20 WR if Flowers sits, but only a confident WR3 if Flowers plays; five-plus targets have consistently produced 15+ PPR points. listen ↗

▲ Fantasy Life Show: Produced heavily last week without Flowers (9 targets, 88 yards, TD) and is the only other established pass catcher in Baltimore's offense. listen ↗

▲ The Audible: Emerging as Lamar Jackson's guy in Flowers' absence, given flex-worthy upside against Dallas' defense. listen ↗

▲ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Would be the clear play if Zay Flowers sits again; smashed last week with an 89% route share, 31% target share, and 21.8 PPR points, and gets an elite matchup vs. Dallas. listen ↗

Tuesday, September 22

All three shows agree: Bateman is strictly a Flowers-injury play, not a long-term add, but with Tez Walker and Jacoby Lane also banged up, he's essentially the last healthy Ravens receiver standing and produced (7-88-1) to prove it. Grab him now if Flowers sits again, but expect his value to evaporate the moment Flowers returns.

▲ Establish The Run Fantasy Football: 7 catches, 88 yards, a TD on 9 targets while Zay Flowers was out with a hamstring injury; surprised hosts with his step-up game. listen ↗

▶ Fantasy Focus Football: Is Baltimore's clear WR1 while Zay Flowers is out, posting 7-88-1, but hosts note he also caused a costly interception and will lose value once Flowers returns. listen ↗

▲ The Audible: Seven catches and a near deep-ball touchdown show he can be Lamar Jackson's No. 1 receiver, especially if Zay Flowers remains out. listen ↗

▶ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Mentioned as a short-term add if Zay Flowers is sidelined again. listen ↗

▲ The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Must-add if Zay Flowers is out, as he's essentially the last healthy true receiver left for Baltimore with Tez Walker and Jacoby Lane also out. listen ↗

▶ Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Huge game (7-88-1) while Zay Flowers was out; considered mainly a short-term add since Flowers is the clear WR1 and could return soon. listen ↗

Monday, September 21

▶ Fantasy Football Today: Looked great against the Saints and is a short-term replacement option if Zay Flowers is out, though he may not be at 100%. listen ↗

▲ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Was the clear No. 2 behind Andrews with Flowers out; hosts see him retaining a WR3/4 role even with Zay Flowers back due to Andrews' decline. Recommended FAAB ~5-10%. listen ↗

▲ RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: 7 catches for 88 yards and a TD filling in for injured Zay Flowers; must-start if Flowers sits again against Dallas, viable flex dart-throw even if Flowers returns. listen ↗

Sunday, September 20

▲ Fantasy Football Today: Since his second year, has 50+ yards and a TD in all five games with at least 7 targets, making him intriguing with Flowers out. listen ↗

Saturday, September 19

▲ Fantasy Football Today: Flagged as one of the favorite flyer plays if Zay Flowers sits, noting Lamar Jackson praised him this week. listen ↗

▲ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Took over 2.5 receptions as Baltimore's clear WR1 with Zay Flowers and another receiver out; ran a route on 96% of Lamar Jackson's dropbacks last week. listen ↗

▲ RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: With Zay Flowers out and Jacoby Lane on IR, Bateman becomes the WR1 with Lamar Jackson and gets a spot-start look versus a Saints defense that gave up yardage last week. listen ↗

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