2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Rashod Bateman





  • Rashod Bateman, 6-2/210

  • Wide Receiver

  • Minnesota


  • Rashod Bateman Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Well-developed route running
  • Advanced technique
  • Tracks the ball well
  • Late hands
  • Body control
  • Tracks the ball well
  • Dangerous on 50-50 passes
  • Adept at making catches over defensive backs
  • Can make some highlight-reel catches
  • Good size, build
  • Gritty, competitive syle
  • Run-after-the-catch skills
  • Nose for the ned zone




  • Weaknesses:
  • Lacks mismatch speed
  • Lacks twitch
  • Could struggle to separate from NFL defensive backs
  • Too many dropped passes
  • Needs to improve his hands


  • Summary: Bateman first worked his way onto the field as a freshman in 2018, recording 51 receptions for 704 yards and six touchdowns. In 2019, the Gophers had a dynamic receiver tandem of Bateman and Tyler Johnson, which led the team to an impressive season with a win in the Outback Bowl to end the year. Bateman was a source of a lot of big plays for Minnesota that season, snagging 60 catches for 1,219 yards with 11 touchdowns.

    Bateman was expected to be the feature receiver for Minnesota in ith Johnson moving on to the NFL, but prior to the Big Ten canceling their season, Bateman opted out. When the Big 10 rescheduled the season though, he opted back in. Bateman only played five games before deciding to call it a career, totaling 36 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns for his 2020.



    Bateman could be a solid contributor No. 2 receiver to an NFL passing attack. He shows quality route-running technique and is a competitive receiver who fights for the football. Bateman tracks the ball well, has late hands, and is adept at making catches over defensive backs. He has good size and is able to use his build to shield defenders from the football. After the catch, Bateman is a good runner and is able to add yardage plus has some strength to break tackles. He shows some good body control along the sideline to stay in bounds while reeling in passes with close coverage. Bateman is a gritty and competitive wideout who has a nose for the end zone.

    Bateman is more of a secondary receiver for the NFL because he lacks mismatch speed against NFL corners. To go along with not being very fast, Bateman is not a twitchy or explosive athlete, so he could face separation issues against pro cornerbacks. Bateman also needs to work on his hands. He can make some amazing highlight-reel catches, but he will drop some routine passes. The speed and twitch limitations are what make Bateman more of a solid No. 2 receiver in the NFL rather than a featured No. 1.

    In the 2021 NFL Draft, Bateman probably will end up being a second- or third-round pick.



    Player Comparison: Mohamed Sanu. Bateman kind of reminds me of Sanu. Sanu (6-2, 210) and Bateman are almost identical in size and have a gritty style of play. However, Sanu has better hands and was much more sure-handed at Rutgers than Bateman was at Minnesota. After being a second-day pick, Sanu has put together a solid career as a possessional receiver, and Bateman could follow suit.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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