Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

There is a “Snyder cut” version of this write-up somewhere that is a lot more detailed, but I cannot find where the file went and have finals starting today and don’t want to spend a lot of time on this again... SO here is a condensed version.

Essentially what this boils down to is the defending SB champions adding the most “pro-ready” player on the board. The Bucs are the first team since 1979 to return every starter after winning the Super Bowl. In addition to this, the Bucs were also able to maintain OC Byron Leftwich and DC Todd Bowles on the coaching staff for at least another year. Unlike the champs, the rest of the NFC South will start to look a bit new. The Saints will be without Drew Brees for the first time in 15 years and he’ll be supplanted by a man who threw 30 ints in his last season as a starter. The 5 win Panthers took a flyer on Sam Darnold and seem to be trending in the right direction, however, it’s tough to say how much of Darnold’s struggles were on Adam Gase and if Darnold can live up to his potential under Matt Rhule. The Falcons are bringing in former Titan OC, Arthur Smith and although it was a good hire, it’s easy to think the path should be pretty clear for the Bucs to take this division, which is exactly why they should go all in again. That and the fact their QB turns 44 in August.

Is Mike Evans one of the most consistent WRs in the game? Yes… Is Philadelphia native Chris Godwin a more than adequate WR 2? Also yes… Did Scotty Miller and Bateman’s Golden Gopher teammate, Tyler Johnson show enough promise that they can fill in the Antonio Brown (who as of this writing has not agreed to a new deal with the team) role? probably… However, Godwin is currently on a franchise tag, and picking Bateman gives them flexibility when considering their future as well as giving them a player that can contribute now.

Other options for the Bucs could be to go Defensive End, OL depth, or Cornerback, however in our community draft, the OTs got gobbled up and although guys like DE Gregory Rousseau and CB Eric Stokes each have a massive amount of potential, they are a little more green at positions that may take a little bit more time to see the payoff.. I’ve probably mentioned it before.. Like 3 times.. But Brady will be 44 going into the new season. He brought the Bucs who are one of the losingest NFL franchises in history a title in his first year in town and deserves the chance to extend his record. Brady has stated he will play “till I suck” and although if he does keep playing that day will eventually come, every time we write him off, he comes back and wins again.

I had to think long and hard about passing on Najee Harris and Travis Etienne as they both fit the bill of “pro-ready,” however with Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette both returning, the Bucs are more in need of an RB that can catch balls out of the backfield than actually just run the ball and they can get that in Michael Carter in the second round. You’re not going to get a WR like Bateman at pick 64 and he really has no business even being on the board now.

Davis Mills could be darkhorse if they want to ignore everything I just said about stacking the team as much as possible and going all in. If they think they have enough firepower to repeat as is, it could make sense to get Mills to sit behind Brady for a year or two.

Bateman’s strengths

-Amazing body control. He consistently comes down with balls in traffic and makes insane adjustments to terrible throws

-Fluid route running

-Great hands

-Has experience in the slot and the perimeter

-No diva attitude typical of star WRs

Weaknesses

-The guy is “shrinking.” He’s listed at 6’3 on his high school Rivals page and 6’2 on the Golden Gopher website, but he measured in at 6 feet at his pro day.

-Speed (?) I was super surprised he ran a 4.39 at his pro day. He doesn’t look exceptionally fast on tape.

Player comparison: Somewhere between Ceedee Lamb and Keenan Allen. He’s a little smaller than both... A little less athletic than Lamb… Little faster than Allen... But the route running and body control reminds me of these two.

Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson each caught over 60 catches, 1200 yards, and 10 TDs in 2019 during their time in Minnesota with Tanner Morgan at QB. It would be extremely interesting to see what the two could do while rotating in the slot with Evans and Godwin flanking them and the GOAT throwing the ball.

Here’s a mock for the rest of their draft using PFN just for fun:

32. WR Rashod Bateman

64. RB Michael Carter

95. OG Deonte Brown

137.EDGE Daelin Hayes

176. DT Marvin Wilson

217. LB Justin Hilliard

251. OT Larnel Coleman

259. K Jose Borregales

2021 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Jaguars (Phoenix X Minimus): QB Trevor Lawrence
2) Jets (eagles.north.of.the.border): QB Zach Wilson
3) 49ers (I Need a Username): QB Trey Lance
4) Falcons (chewy wellington): OT Penei Sewell
5) Bengals (Dr_Horrible): WR Ja’Marr Chase
6) Dolphins (20Safety_Hazard): TE Kyle Pitts
7) Lions (drc242): WR DeVonta Smith
8) Panthers (wildcatlh): QB Justin Fields
9) Broncos (ItownBallers22): CB Patrick Surtain II
10) Cowboys (Kephas): OT Rashawn Slater
11) Giants (Billmington): WR Jaylen Waddle
12) Eagles (ablesser88): CB Jaycee Horn
13) Chargers (Georgia_eagle): LB Micah Parsons
14) Vikings (Philliesandthebees): OT Alijah Vera-Tucker
15) Patriots (SakPrescott): QB Mac Jones
16) Cardinals (Carson Wentzs ACL): CB Greg Newsome II
17) Raiders (dshelton5): LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
18) Dolphins (J. Wil): DE Kwity Paye
19) Football Team (Negadelphia Norm): LB Nick Bolton
20) Bears (Happy24): CB Caleb Farley
21) Colts (Fly Like An Eagle): OT Christian Darrisaw
22) Titans (Friendly Neighborhood Philly Fan): LB Zaven Collins
23) Jets (Asap Stocky): OT Teven Jenkins
24) Steelers (Gregnado): OT Samuel Cosmi
25) Jaguars (“Snax”): DE Jaelen Phillips
26) Browns (gerouxman1956): LB Jamin Davis
27) Ravens (Brendanekstrom): DE Azeez Ojulari
28) Saints (grantspectations): S Trevon Moehrig
29) Packers (Philly_Philly): CB Asante Samuel Jr.
30) Bills (doublefry): DT Christian Barmore
31) Ravens (Leo Bedio): WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
32) Buccaneers (phuckdallas): WR Rashod Bateman

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think should be selected in the 2021 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

1) Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence
2) Jets: QB Zach Wilson:
3) 49ers: QB Justin Fields
4) Falcons: OT Penei Sewell
5) Bengals: WR Ja’Marr Chase
6) Dolphins: TE Kyle Pitts
7) Lions: WR DeVonta Smith
8) Panthers: OT Rashawn Slater
9) Broncos: QB Trey Lance
10) Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II
11) Giants: LB Micah Parsons
12) Eagles: WR Jaylen Waddle
13) Chargers: CB Jaycee Horn
14) Vikings: OT Alijah Vera-Tucker
15) Patriots: QB Mac Jones
16) Cardinals: CB Caleb Farley
17) Raiders: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
18) Dolphins: RB Najee Harris
19) Football Team: OT Christian Darrisaw
20) Bears: OT Teven Jenkins
21) Colts: DE Kwity Paye
22) Titans: CB Greg Newsome II
23) Jets: OT Samuel Cosmi
24) Steelers: RB Travis Etienne
25) Jaguars: DT Christian Barmore
26) Browns: LB Jamin Davis
27) Ravens: WR Rashod Bateman
28) Saints: S Trevon Moehrig
29) Packers: WR Kadarius Toney
30) Bills: CB Asante Samuel Jr.
31) Ravens: WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
32) Buccaneers: