2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Rashod Bateman

Positional ranking: #5

Big Board ranking: #25

 

Overview

Position: WR

College: Minnesota

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’0 3/8”

Weight: 190 lbs.

Arm length: 33″

Hand size: 9 1/2

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.43 sec.

Vertical jump: 36.0″

Broad jump: 123.0″

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: 6.95 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.35 sec.

 

Strengths

Great size and physicality. Prototype on-the-ground possession receiver. Long arms with a big frame. Ideal play strength. Strong hands. Able to snatch balls ahead of him or secure passes into his body. Smooth overall player. Excellent route runner underneath. Very good feet and craftiness to create space. Easy separation on in-breaking routes. Impressive ability to throttle down and change direction at his size. Deceptive on double moves and as a route runner in general. Plus speed to get vertical or run away from guys in the open field. Above-average acceleration. Tremendous overall awareness. Gets his feet down on the boundary. Tracks the deep ball well over either shoulder. Smooth transitioning from catch to run. Shows some elusiveness with the ball in his hands. Very good contact balance as a runner. Featured both out wide and in the slot. Able to use his frame to get the job done as a blocker.

 

Weaknesses

Not overly explosive out of breaks or as a leaper. Sometimes struggled to pick up the ball in traffic over the middle for passes off his frame. Seems to hear footsteps at times over the middle. Not really an above-the-rim target despite his size. Would like to see more consistent commitment as a blocker.

 

NFL comparison

Michael Thomas

 

Conclusion

Overall, Bateman is a prototype possession receiver that primarily wins with size, strength, and craftiness working the middle of the field. He could quickly turn into a quarterback’s favorite target if he lands with a team that lacks a reliable chain-mover.