Baltimore Ravens DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, there is some optimism around Rashod Bateman's (foot) availability for Saturday afternoon's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rapoport noted that despite his current foot injury that kept him sidelined for most of practice this week, if he is able to turn in a successful pregame warmup, "he should be out there." Bateman popped up on the injury report on Wednesday as a limited participant and was downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday. Last weekend, Bateman brought in three of his five targets for 80 yards and two scores. Through 14 games this season, Bateman has tallied seven touchdowns while averaging 46.7 yards per game. If he is able to suit up, he should be viewed as a decent flex option in deeper 14+ team formats.

The Baltimore Ravens waived wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Friday. Johnson will now go on waivers and can be claimed by another organization on Monday. If he is not claimed, Johnson will hit the open market and be free to sign with any team he wants. The 28-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline this year from the Carolina Panthers, but he wasn't exactly a great fit in Baltimore's offense. Everything came to a head when Johnson, unhappy with his role, refused to enter the Week 13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was subsequently suspended for the Week 15 win over the New York Giants and is now no longer with the team. He ended up catching just one pass on five targets for six yards in four games with the Ravens, but he had a 30-357-3 line in seven games with Carolina and should latch on quickly with another organization, potentially a contender looking for more receiver depth.

The Baltimore Ravens downgraded wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) to out for the Week 16 contest on Saturday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers due to his concussion. It doesn't come as much of a surprise after Agholor missed practice all week. Additionally, fellow wideout Rashod Bateman (foot) is questionable to play this weekend due to a foot injury that had him in a walking boot on Thursday. If the Ravens are without both Agholor and Bateman, Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews will be in line for bigger target shares against a tough defense. Tight end Isaiah Likely and receivers Tylan Wallace and Devontez Walker would also be on the field more in passing situations for the Ravens. Agholor has 13 receptions for 231 yards and two TDs in 14 games on the year and hasn't really been on the fantasy radar at all. He'll hope to clear concussion protocol in time for Week 17.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace is not a playable option despite a decent opportunity and matchup in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens could be looking for additional pass-catching options with Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) both questionable against a Steelers pass defense that ranks in the middle of the pack against fantasy receivers. But at this stage, Wallace's 115-yard performance in Week 10 is the aberration, not the norm. Outside of that week, he has seven total catches for 76 yards. Managers shouldn't risk playing Wallace in the fantasy playoffs, even in the deepest of leagues.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely should be considered a very high-risk bet in the fantasy playoffs with the Ravens playing host to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. The third-year tight end's ups and downs have been wild this season, ranging from a TE1 showing in Week 1 to a zero-target performance despite playing more than half of Baltimore's offensive snaps in Week 12. With receivers Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) questionable and Pittsburgh ranking a middling 17th against tight ends, Likely certainly could find himself drawing more targets. But betting on which weeks Likely will pop is like a scratch-off lottery ticket. Tread carefully.