NFL Draft 2021: NY Giants’ mid-round wide receiver targets

Rashod Bateman:

Measurables:

Height-6’2

Weight-210

School-Minnesota

Strengths-Deceptive Speed, Physicality, Crisp Route Runner, Technically Sound, High IQ, + Acceleration, 50/50 Balls

Weaknesses-Lacks Elite Top End Speed, Consistency Making People Miss

Scouting Report–

Rashod Bateman can beat defensive backs in a variety of ways.  His IQ and physicality are both well-above average and will continue to create matchup problems for him at the NFL level. He can use his strength or quickness to get off the line and defeat press coverage.  His excellent release allows him to get a step on his defender and can put defensive backs on their heels for the remainder of the game.

Bateman is an excellent route runner and is the soundest route technician in this draft- for guys exceeding 200lb.  He looks exceptionally smooth when making cuts. and has a very sharp change of direction.  His excellent quickness getting in and out of breaks enables him to create separation at the top of his routes.  He has outstanding hands as well- which he uses with his huge catch radius to high-point and win 50-50 balls down the field.

Physicality is also a major part of Batemans game.  He uses his strong hands to pluck the ball out of the air.  When going up for a contested catch, he will often rely on his physicality and strong hands to come down with the ball instead of pure leaping ability.  He doesn’t possess high-level juke moves, but he does deliver a mean stiff-arm- which he often likes use on defensive backs when in the open field.  His powerful lower half allows him to easily shed off would-be arm tacklers to slip away and continue running.

The lone knock on Bateman, is his speed.  He has what scouts like to call, “play speed”.  When you watch him play, he doesn’t appear to have elite speed, and he likely wouldn’t set the stopwatch on fire during a timed 40-yard dash either.  Yet, when you turn on his games, he is continuously running away and separating from defenders after the catch.

His game might not be flashy, and his 40-yard dash time might not wow you- but what Rashod Bateman is- is steady.  He’s a rock-solid prospect who excels in all facets if the game.

Projection–

Late Round 1–Mid Round 2

Bateman is equivalent to a five-tool player in baseball.  Simply put, he can do it all- and do it all at a high level.  Some of his tools, such as: his size, leaping ability, catch radius, strong hands, physicality, and route running all grade among the highest in this class of receivers. While some teams may be worried about his speed, he clearly possesses the quickness and game speed necessary to make plays at the highest level.

Rashod Bateman possesses the highest floor, and is the safest pick, of any receiver in this draft.

Comparison– Chris Godwin/Roddy White