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Devontez Walker May Push For A Bigger Role
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- Devontez Walker May Push For A Bigger Role
Rashod Bateman has been a mainstay in the Ravens' receiving corps for years, and with Ja'Kobi Lane sidelined by injury, he appeared positioned to receive even more opportunities. Against the Tennessee Titans, however, it was Devontez Walker who saw the larger role. According to Pro Football Focus , Walker had a higher snap share than Bateman in both 11- and 12-personnel. Bateman's overall snap share fell to just 47.6% after he had played 85.8% of Baltimore's offensive snaps through the first three games.
Despite receiving a smaller piece of the pie, Bateman still played well, catching both of his targets for 46 yards. Walker caught one of his two targets for 19 yards, suggesting the shift may have less to do with Bateman being phased out of the offense and more to do with Baltimore giving Walker a chance to prove himself.
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A Known Commodity
Sep 20, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Quincy Riley (29) breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) in the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Bateman has been in the league since 2021, but has not truly broken out as many Ravens fans have wanted. He has received plenty of opportunities to do so, but has never become more than a solid wide receiver three or four for Baltimore.
Bateman's reduced workload does not mean he has lost his value to the offense. He has carved out a useful niche as a legitimate deep threat, particularly during his best statistical season in 2024. According to NFL Savant , Bateman ranked in the 92nd percentile in air yards per target that year.
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The Ravens are using Walker in a similar, albeit more extreme, manner. The third-year receiver has only nine career receptions, but he is averaging a cartoonish 24.8 yards per catch. He has also ranked in the 100th percentile in air yards per target during each season of his career. The sample size is about as small as it gets, but it still suggests Walker has the same kind of deep-ball ability that has helped Bateman carve out his role in Baltimore's offense.
Both players fill similar roles, but Baltimore may have been interested in seeing what the younger wideout could do with more snaps. One game is not nearly enough to declare that Walker is breaking out or has passed Bateman on the depth chart, and this could prove to be a one-time experiment. But it could also signal that Baltimore wants to get its explosive vertical specialist more involved in Declan Doyle's offense moving forward.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
