With the recent trade for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, speculation has arisen regarding potential changes to the usage of the Baltimore Ravens’ current top two wide receivers, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the pair of homegrown first-rounders are expected to remain as the team’s top two options at the wide receiver position with the arrival of Johnson.
“I’m told Diontae Johnson’s trade acquisition does not reflect a change in view of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as the team’s current WR1 and WR2, per source,” Anderson wrote. “While, I’m told Johnson was brought to Baltimore for his speed, separation and punt returning abilities—especially with Deonte Harty’s (knee) listing on IR, it’s been reinforced to Flowers and Bateman, even going back to last year when the team added additional weapons at wideout, that the organization not only believes in the aforementioned duo but also has very high confidence in them.”
Flowers has taken another step in his second season, becoming quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target in the passing game with 17 more catches than the next player. Flowers’ 527 receiving yards also lead the team and is currently the 12th most in the NFL.
While Bateman is coming off a game he would rather forget against the Cleveland Browns, in which he dropped two crucial passes, his play has been a marked improvement this season. Bateman’s 422 receiving yards are second on the team and 20th in the NFL.
As Anderson later points out, Johnson will most likely eat into veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor’s playing time.