2021 NFL Draft: Bears land top pick in preseason 2021 NFL mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
2021 NFL Draft Round 1, Pick 24 (Philadelphia Eagles, 12-4)
player. Scouting Report. 24. Minnesota. Rashod Bateman. 54. Pick Analysis. Wide Receiver
Like the 49ers, injuries have derailed the Eagles’ plans at the wide receiver position. The status of Alshon Jeffery is still a bit unknown while rookie Jalen Reagor is battling an injury and recently acquired Marquise Goodwin opted out of the season.
With all that considered, the Eagles could look to invest another first-round pick in a wide receiver. This would allow them to potentially part ways with Jeffery and DeSean Jackson and go with a youthful approach to the position with Reagor, Goodwin and Rashod Bateman with this pick.
While Reagor was regarded as a young DeSean Jackson during the process, Bateman could be the younger version of Alshon Jeffery. We’ve seen how this offense can utilize both those players, so turning the duo into Reagor and Bateman could be the right move forward.
During the 2019 season, Bateman hauled in 60 catches for 1,219 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. For comparisons, Jeffrey’s best college season saw 88 catches for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns, not too far off from what we’ve seen from Bateman.
Depending on how the draft goes, linebacker could also be a position for the Eagles to look into, but in this case, any linebacker left would be a reach pick whereas Bateman still addresses a need while being more accurately projected.