Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the media at the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday and was asked a question regarding the team’s lack of success in drafting wide receivers.
DeCosta responded to the question bluntly.
“If I had an answer, that would probably mean I would have some better receivers,” DeCosta said, per Sarah Ellison of Ravens Vault. “We’re gonna keep swinging. There have been some guys that have been successful players for us that were draft picks. We’ve never really hit on that All-Pro type of guy, which is disappointing, but it’s not for a lack of effort.”
Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman didn’t take kindly to the comments from his general manager, and took to Twitter to address them. In a tweet that has since been deleted, Bateman blasted DeCosta.
“how bout you play to your player’s strength and & stop pointing the finger at us and #8,” Bateman said as he defended the receiving corps and quarterback Lamar Jackson. “…blame the one you let do this.… we take heat 24/7 . & keep us healthy … care about US and see what happen..ain’t no promises tho … tired of y’all lyin and capn on players for no reason.”
Bateman, who was a first round pick for Baltimore in 2021, has hauled in 61 catches for 800 yards and three touchdowns over 18 games in his first two seasons. He is one of several players in the Ravens’ receiving corps that has struggled to stay healthy.