Raising Zona
FanSided

Three prospects Arizona Cardinals must consider if they trade down

By Sion Fawkes

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Rashod Bateman #0 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers warms up before a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Rashod Bateman #0 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers warms up before a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 30: Rashod Bateman #0 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers warms up before a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 30: Rashod Bateman #0 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers warms up before a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Rashod Bateman

One of the greatest things about the 2021 Draft Class is that it’s laden with talent at wide receiver. And Bateman is one of those talents. In 2019, he showed his ability as a deep threat with 20.3 yards per reception. That season, he had 60 receptions, 1,219 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

Though he didn’t have the same type of season in 2020, Bateman still averaged over 7 catches per game in the 5 games in which he played with 36 receptions for 420 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bateman also lit up the stat sheet against Illinois with 10 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown.

He also possesses good size at 6’2, 210lb. Similar to what you see with DeAndre Hopkins. Like DeVonta Smith, Bateman also possesses the talent to draw defenders away from Hopkins. He also has the size to win jump balls and to overpower jamming defenders at the line of scrimmage.

While Bateman ranks lower than Smith on most draft boards, he’s still a fantastic consolation for a team that lacks a legitimate WR2. However, if Larry Fitzgerald returns for another season and Christian Kirk can still create splash plays, Bateman can serve as the final puzzle piece to what may become a dangerous receiving unit.

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