Scouting the 2021 NFL Draft: Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 23: Rashod Bateman #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Travis Whillock #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Ryan Field on November 23, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 23: Rashod Bateman #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Travis Whillock #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Ryan Field on November 23, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
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Scouting the 2021 NFL Draft: Minnesota's Rashod Bateman
Scouting the 2021 NFL Draft: Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Rashod Bateman is one of the best receivers heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.

After the receiver class, we just had to fortune of watching last season — in college and through the draft process — it was expected that we would have maybe a down year or two, however, this is simply not the case. While we haven’t seen these guys suit up for their final season (yes, some won’t get the chance because of cancelled seasons and opt-outs) it’s apparent there receivers are just as talented.  One of the top guys in this year’s upcoming 2021 NFL Draft, Rashod Bateman, who will not be seeing the field this year because he has decided to opt-out and prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Outside of LSU’s, Ja’Marr Chase, Bateman is coveted as arguably the second-best receiver in this draft, and for good reason. With Bateman making the decision to forgo the season, the opportunity to put him under the microscope and evaluate his game has commenced.

The Production

Bateman was able to rack up 1,219 receiving yards this last season despite sharing the field with another receiver who amassed 1,000 yards, Tyler Johnson. It only took Bateman a total of 60 receptions to reach his receiving total giving him an average of 20.3 yards-per-reception. He caps it all off with 11 touchdowns, a majority of them coming on vertical routes.