Ravens who are (probably) next in line following Rashod Bateman's extension

You have to give the Baltimore Ravens credit, even if you're a fan of an AFC North rival. It's hard to name teams that draft better. They've rewritten some of the rulebook. The torch was officially passed from the great Ozzie Newsome to Eric DeCosta, and the machine continues churning. The organization remains in competent hands.
The 2021-22 NFL season didn't quite turn out as we had hoped (an 8-9 record), but the dark cloud's silver lining was some new blood in what everyone hoped would be a stellar draft class. Four of the eight prospects taken are still on the roster. Fingers are still crossed for Ben Cleveland and Tylan Wallace. Things seem to be working out for the first two players taken.
Good news came for Rashod Bateman on the fifth day of OTAs. It appears he's going to be sticking around for a while.
Rashod Bateman signs his extension, and several other Ravens may be in line to earn theirs.
Bateman and Odafe Oweh were the 27th and 31st players taken during the 2021 NFL Draft. Baltimore had a fifth-year option on the latter, but Rashod wasn't eligible because he started the 2023 season on the Did Not Report list. That meant he didn't have enough accrued seasons to be eligible.
No worries... Baltimore determined they had seen enough and wanted to lock their young wide receiver down for the foreseeable future. He's been inked to an extension. His new deal covers three years and will pay him $36.75 million. Thanks to a three-year, $15 million extension he signed through the 2026 season on April 24, 2024, he's now eligible for free agency in 2030.
He may have also opened the door for a few of his teammates to ink deals of their own. Here are a few who may be next in line after seeing Rashod earn his payday.
Odafe Oweh, EDGE
The Baltimore Ravens picked up Oweh's fifth-year option. That guarantees him a salary of $13.25 million for the 2025 season. The organization likes him, and this decision buys them a little time to work out a long-term deal. There isn't a rush now, but a new deal may come at some point.
Isaiah Likely and/or Charlie Kolar, tight ends
Mark Andrews needed some help at the tight end position, so the Ravens drafted Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely during the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They did so with picks 128 and 139, respectively. Time has flown by, and now both enter the final years of their rookie contracts.
This is also a contract season for Andrews. It's doubtful that the Ravens will shell out big money for three tight ends. Perhaps they'll stick with the younger guys. Likely is the better receiver. Kolar is the better blocker. We'll see what happens.
Travis Jones, interior defensive lineman
Another member of the Ravens' 2022 draft class, Travis, a third-rounder, was the 76th player taken. That decision has also worked out well. More responsibility was added to his plate last season. He started 15 of the 17 regular-season games, both postseason games, and played respectably.
The six-foot-four, 338-pounder has performed well as a stop-gap in the Ravens' defensive front. He turns 26 in October and still has some good football ahead of him.
Tyler Linderbaum, center
Are you noticing a theme here? You were warned that the Ravens draft well. How good has the 2022 class been? Tyler Linderbaum is the valedictorian and yet another example of how well Baltimore has stocked its roster with exceptional talent.
After his first three seasons, Linderbaum already has two Pro Bowl nods on his resume. More are coming, and it wouldn't be right if those nominations weren't earned in Baltimore. It's time to lock this young man up.
Patrick Ricard, fullback
Baltimore is one of the few NFL teams still housing a fullback, and boy, do they have a great one. A Second-Team All-Pro in 2023 and a First-Team All-Pro in 2024, Patrick Ricard has been named to five Pro Bowl rosters. He's a Raven through and through, and most would love to see his tenure continue.
Worth mentioning: Ar'Darius Washington
The Ravens have a talented group of safeties, don't they? Kyle Hamilton is one of the best in the business. Malaki Starks is the 2025 first-round draftee. What does that mean for Ar'Darius Washington in the coming season?
Baltimore shouldn't (and won't) break the bank for the third safety on the depth chart, but after seeing him perform well with new responsibility, a team-friendly deal might be the ammunition needed to start a conversation.
Don't be shocked if Washington returns in 2026. Don't be shocked if he doesn't.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

NBC Sports

28 minutes ago

• NBC Sports

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says there will be no state money for sports venues

Two NFL teams call Pennsylvania home. Neither should consider calling Pennsylvania when it's time to finance stadium renovation or construction for their home stadiums. Via the Associated Press, Governor Josh Shapiro made it clear on Sunday that state money will not be available to sports teams. 'I'm very worried about the overall budget,' Shapiro said Sunday before a NASCAR Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway. 'I'm very worried about the overall economic situation given the federal cuts. You want to balance investing in tourism, investing in sports, investing in great arenas and facilities, with making sure that you're also investing those dollars in things that Pennsylvanians need most.' And, in Shapiro's view, Pennsylvanians don't have a pressing need for sports. He nevertheless wants sports — and more of them — in Pennsylvania. 'I will tell you that we want to make sure the Steelers, we want to make sure the Eagles, and all of our pro teams have outstanding places to play,' Shapiro said. 'That are welcoming for fans. That generate revenue. We're going to continue to dialog with them about what they need and what's possible.' There's been a presumption for years that, because members of the public attend sporting events, there's an obligation by their state and local governments to help pay for the venue. Does that happen when someone builds a store that members of the public? A theater? The key words Shapiro used are 'generate revenue.' Sports stadiums generate plenty. More than enough to pay for themselves. Sure, that might result in less profit. But so what? If there's enough profit to justify the investment, that should be good enough. Sports teams aren't entitled to unlimited profit via taxpayer subsidies. The Steelers, who opened their current stadium in 2001, aren't currently angling for a replacement. The Eagles have begun the process of considering whether to renovate Lincoln Financial Field or to replace it. Whatever the approach on either side of the Commonwealth, the two teams have one thing in common. State money won't be available, for as long as Shapiro is in office. Elected in 2022, Shapiro can run again in 2026. So it's possible that the policy won't change before 2030. At the earliest.

NBC Sports

30 minutes ago

• NBC Sports

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says there will be no public money for sports venues

Two NFL teams call Pennsylvania home. Neither should consider calling Pennsylvania when it's time to finance stadium renovation or construction for their home stadiums. Via the Associated Press, Governor Josh Shapiro made it clear on Sunday that state money will not be available to sports teams. 'I'm very worried about the overall budget,' Shapiro said Sunday before a NASCAR Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway. 'I'm very worried about the overall economic situation given the federal cuts. You want to balance investing in tourism, investing in sports, investing in great arenas and facilities, with making sure that you're also investing those dollars in things that Pennsylvanians need most.' And, in Shapiro's view, Pennsylvanians don't have a pressing need for sports. He nevertheless wants sports — and more of them — in Pennsylvania. 'I will tell you that we want to make sure the Steelers, we want to make sure the Eagles, and all of our pro teams have outstanding places to play,' Shapiro said. 'That are welcoming for fans. That generate revenue. We're going to continue to dialog with them about what they need and what's possible.' There's been a presumption for years that, because members of the public attend sporting events, there's an obligation by their state and local governments to help pay for the venue. Does that happen when someone builds a store that members of the public? A theater? The key words Shapiro used are 'generate revenue.' Sports stadiums generate plenty. More than enough to pay for themselves. Sure, that might result in less profit. But so what? If there's enough profit to justify the investment, that should be good enough. Sports teams aren't entitled to unlimited profit via taxpayer subsidies. The Steelers, who opened their current stadium in 2001, aren't currently angling for a replacement. The Eagles have begun the process of considering whether to renovate Lincoln Financial Field or to replace it. Whatever the approach on either side of the Commonwealth, the two teams have one thing in common. State money won't be available, for as long as Shapiro is in office. Elected in 2022, Shapiro can run again in 2026. So it's possible that the policy won't change before 2030. At the earliest.

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

WATCH: QB Drake Maye lights it up with three touchdowns at Patriots minicamp

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was heating up during certain portions of minicamp practice. The team spent two days on the field working on drills and competitive 11-on-11 situations. Granted, they only practiced in shorts and helmets, but it was a simulated practice setting to give both the offense and defense a look at real game situations. The Patriots' social media team posted a video with Maye mic'd up for the minicamp practices, and it captured the second-year quarterback making three completions for touchdowns during red zone work. Maye can be seen connecting with rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, third-year wideout Demario Douglas and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne for three scores in the end zone. The Patriots had the third-worst red zone scoring percentage in the league last year. However, there are hopes that they'll improve this year with the additions made at receiver and along the offensive line. Maye having more time to throw from the pocket and better receiving options can only mean good things for the offense moving forward. It could lead to a full-blown breakout year for the 22-year-old signal-caller in 2025. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: WATCH: QB Drake Maye lights it up with three touchdowns at minicamp