David Chao, MD
2 min read • June 15, 2023
Posted in
Last year, the Baltimore Ravens had one of the worst wide receiver (WR) corps in the NFL. The team made quarterback Lamar Jackson the highest-paid player in NFL history with a five-year, $260 million deal.
To ensure that Jackson had the necessary weapons to validate his contract, the team signed WR Odell Beckham Jr and drafted WR Zay Flowers.
Additionally, the Ravens are bringing back WRs Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay, but all four receivers are returning from injuries.
The Ravens signed Beckham to a contract that can reach up to $18 million, including $3 million in incentives. The former Pro Bowl receiver's incentives are based on yardage, catches, and touchdowns.
During OTA's, he has been fully participating for the first time since tearing his ACL for a second time during Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022.
When DraftKings Sportsbook released his yardage prop at 575.5 yards in May, our staff advised taking the over.
WR Rashod Bateman was selected as the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He had a slow start to his career but managed to record three games with over 50 receiving yards before a Lisfranc foot injury prematurely ended his 2022 season.
Although limited during OTA's, Bateman opted for a cortisone shot, resulting in his absence from mandatory minicamp. However, Harbaugh stated that this setback shouldn't keep him out of training camp. The shot was administered to help reduce inflammation after the removal of surgical screws.
Unfortunately, the second shot of cortisone indicates there is residual issues with his Lisfranc ligament, according to the Pro Football Docs. Typically the removal of hardware does not require a second cortisone injection.
Bateman may not be ready for training camp in late July and could see his role reduced at the start of the season because of the lingering injury.
WR Zay Flowers was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to bolster the Ravens' receiving corps. The speedy threat is expected to stretch defenses but is currently dealing with a minor tweak.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh described it as a soft tissue injury, but he anticipates Flowers' return in the near future.
Speedy WR Devin Duvernay ranked third on the team in receiving yards and receptions last season but suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot during practice in late December.
Despite this, Duvernay has been participating in minicamp and appears to be in good health as he heads into training camp.
Written by David Chao, MD
