The Baltimore Ravens selected Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman with the No. 27 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Bateman spent three years playing at Minnesota despite being recruited by SEC schools out of high school. He showed promise as a freshman before a breakout sophomore campaign in 2019 in which he racked up 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bateman played just five games last season after initially opting out of the season due to COVID.
Measurables: 6’2”/210
School: Minnesota
2020 stats: 5 games (opted out), 36 receptions, 472 yards, 2 TDs
Accolades: 2018 Minnesota Most Outstanding Freshman, 2019 third-team Associated Press All-American, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, first-team all-conference and team MVP
Strengths:
• NFL size as outside target
• Pro-ready hands
• Easy acceleration off line of scrimmage
• Can make the difficult, one-handed catch
• Reads space well; adjusts on fly
• Wins at catch point
• Ability to make play after catch
Weaknesses:
• Struggled against top cornerbacks
• Must improve blocking
• Lacks mismatch speed and “second gear”
Expert scout analysis: "Intriguing outside target with combination of size and build-up speed. His flashes of eye-opening production were counterbalanced by inconsistency against stronger, more talented opponents. Has clever press release, but needs to eliminate some wasted motion and play quicker to make up for his average explosiveness off the line. Bateman plays with pro-ready hands and the upper-body agility needed to adjust in air and bring the ball in. He needs to play with grit in contested catch battles and do a better job of defending catch space. There are pro traits to mold but much more work is needed before he can be safely projected as a good NFL starter." - Lance Zeirlein, NFL Network
Tape:
Player comparisons: Keenan Allen (Mike Renner), Michael Gallup (Lance Zeirlein), Mohamed Sanu (Charlie Campbell)
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