Vikings fans who are also fans of the Minnesota Gophers could see a familiar face go early in the draft.
Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman is expected to be a second or third-round pick in the upcoming draft. On Daniel Jeremiah’s latest prospect rankings over at NFL.com, Bateman ranks 46th.
Here’s a bit of what Jeremiah wrote about Bateman:
Bateman has excellent size, burst and route polish. He has spent time outside and in the slot. He’s a better fit on the perimeter at the next level, though. He is sudden in his release and gains ground quickly versus off coverage. He has had some issues freeing himself versus press coverage, but those are correctable. He is very sharp and crisp at the top of routes. He doesn’t drift and does a nice job working back to the quarterback when necessary.
As a sophomore in 2019, Bateman finished with 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 2020 season was an unusual one across the board. Bateman played just five games and finished with 36 catches for 472 yards and two touchdowns.
It seems unlikely he’d end up with the Vikings. But the Vikings do have two third-round and two fourth-round picks. Maybe if Bateman falls, the team lands a third receiver.
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