The Baltimore Ravens don’t need to be No. 1 on every ranking list. But to not even crack the top 10 of Bleacher Report’s latest wide receiver room rankings? That’s just downright disrespectful.
Brent Sobleski put together a list of the league’s best wide receiver rooms after the first week of free agency, and somehow, the trio of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins was completely ignored. This despite Flowers and Bateman combining for 119 catches, 1,815 yards, and 13 touchdowns last season—before even factoring in the upgrade Hopkins brings (56 catches, 610 yards, five touchdowns) as WR3.
That’s a total of 175 receptions, 2,425 yards, and 18 touchdowns. With room to grow. And yet, somehow, that’s not a top-10 wide receiver room? Come on.
Look, we get it. The Ravens have been unfairly labeled as a run-first offense for years. But Baltimore’s passing game took a massive leap in 2024 under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and with Flowers and Bateman emerging, this is one of the most balanced and dangerous receiving groups in the league. Not top-10? Stop it.
Ravens’ wide receiver room is getting wildly overlooked
Some of the teams that made this list are solid, no doubt. But when you look at the full picture, the Ravens’ exclusion makes no sense.
Take the Atlanta Falcons, for example. Drake London is a legitimate WR1, but his supporting cast consists of Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. Are we seriously and definitively saying that duo is better than Bateman and Hopkins? It's at least worthy of a conversation. The Falcons might have the slight edge, but it's not like Baltimore is far off. Especially with the addition of Hopkins.
Or how about the Los Angeles Rams? Puka Nacua is a stud. No argument there. But Cooper Kupp isn’t even on the roster anymore, and Tutu Atwell isn’t exactly striking fear into defenses. Davante Adams gives them a proven playmaker, but Baltimore’s trio is just as balanced—if not more.
Flowers and Bateman both had breakout years in 2024, and with Hopkins providing a veteran presence, the Ravens’ WR room is deeper and more complete. Hopkins as a WR3 is a luxury most teams don’t have, and he’s coming off a season where he still produced despite inconsistent quarterback play. If the Rams’ ranking is based on top-end talent, fine, but Baltimore’s depth and versatility should have put them right in the conversation.
The exercise was looking at the receiver room as a whole—not just top individual performers. It feels like the teams' WR1 were weighed too heavily in some instances.
And let’s talk about development. The Steelers’ room made the cut because of potential with George Pickens and DK Metcalf, but no such grace is given to the Ravens’ young stars? Flowers made the Pro Bowl in Year 2, and Bateman finally had a healthy season and thrived. If we’re projecting growth for other teams, why not Baltimore?
If we were to redo this exercise, the Ravens’ wide receiver room would comfortably land at No. 9. Flowers, Bateman, and Hopkins form a stronger trio than what the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks bring to the table.
At the end of the day, rankings are subjective, but this one feels way off. If the Colts and Seahawks made the cut, the Ravens absolutely should have. Flowers is a rising star, Bateman is coming into his own, and Hopkins gives them a veteran weapon few teams can match as a WR3. The Ravens belong in the top 10.