2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: Big Ten Conference
By Kyle Edmond
Minnesota – Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver, Junior
Like Collins at Michigan State, Rashod Bateman doesn’t have to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, and given what P.J. Fleck is building in Minnesota, he may not want to just yet. However, Bateman could be one of the better-ranked prospects on this list by the end of the season, if he isn’t already.
As a true freshman, Bateman had an impressive showing with over 700 yards receiving and six touchdowns on 51 catches. Then, last season, he improved those numbers to over 1,200 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns on 60 catches. That calculates to 500 more yards and five more touchdowns on just nine more catches.
To put it into perspective Michael Thomas never cracked 800 receiving yards or double-digit touchdowns at Ohio State while Julio Jones didn’t break 1,200 yards or more than seven touchdowns at Alabama. The stats Bateman put up last year are ridiculous.
With that being said, they will also be difficult to replicate. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Bateman fall back slightly, but it also wouldn’t be crazy to think he’ll take another step up. Regardless, another season close to those stats will put Bateman near the top of the 2021 class for wide receivers.