Late for Work 6/15: Analytics Suggest Rashod Bateman Is Primed for Breakout Season
... here's how Bateman compared with other prominent receivers in their first eight games in terms of catches, yards, touchdowns and
snap percentage:
- Rashod Bateman: 32/404/0/59%
- DeVonta Smith: 33/421/1/88%
- D.K. Metcalf: 23/402/4/77%
- Jaylen Waddle: 48/413/3/83%
- A.J. Brown: 22/348/3/53%
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 27/250/0/66%
... he was putting up those numbers while playing fewer snaps. But when Bateman was ready for a greater snap count, Lamar Jackson was lost for the season," Siegel wrote. "Over the last four games of the year, Bateman's snap percentage increased all the way to 86%, but he no longer had the quarterback with whom those snaps were meant to be played.
Despite being just 68th in the NFL in routes run due to playing only 12 games and fewer snaps, Bateman still managed to wind up
46th in Football Outsiders' DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement), which takes into account the value provided by a player and looks at how many yards they generated over a replacement-level player, before adjusting for the quality of opponent.
"While nothing earth-shattering, that number is still extremely impressive given the context of Bateman's season, and still puts him ahead of players like Diontae Johnson, D.J. Moore, and yes, Marquise Brown," Siegel wrote. "
The reason for Bateman's positive advanced metrics is pretty simple — he was really valuable when he played. Perhaps the greatest value a receiver can provide is in being a consistent chain mover and Bateman was just that with a remarkable
29 of his 46 catches going for first downs.
"What's more, Bateman was
incredibly efficient, only dropping the ball twice all year while
finishing 22nd in catch rate and fifth in contested catch rate according to PlayerProfiler."
On a side note
, Bateman was one of 10 veterans on the NFLPA's 2022 Rising Stars List, which identifies top rookies and veterans poised to have breakout seasons, ...
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2022 Rising Stars List
2022 Rising Stars — Veterans
Rashod Bateman Baltimore Ravens