Some NFL Execs/Scouts Believe Rashod Bateman is the Best WR in This Draft

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Jul 1, 2021

There was a lot of questions surrounding Rashod Bateman, after his opt-out, opt-in, opt back out 2020 season but most of them surrounded his explosiveness. He popped those worry balloons last week, however, when he showed out at his pro day, touting a 4.40 40-yd-dash and a chiseled body that ran through football drills with easy athleticism and elite agility.

Even before he impressed at his pro day, Bateman was apparently climbing up draft boards across the league. Some scouts (according to Michael Giardi – NFL Network) even have Bateman jumping fellow wide receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Jalen Waddle, which would be a big deal.

Rashod Bateman was getting a lot of buzz from scouts/execs I spoke with over the last couple weeks & that was before he tested as well as he did at his pro day (4.41 40). A couple believe he's the best WR in this draft, better than Chase, Smith or Waddle. Bold.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 8, 2021

NFL Draft: Thursday, April 29 – Saturday, May 1

Ultimately, we’ll find out very soon who has Rashod Bateman where on their draft boards and what’s a smokescreen vs what isn’t. But, when you take a gander around NFL mock drafts today, you’ll find his stock climbing. You’d be hard pressed to find mocks with him leaking too deeply into the second round and many have him going has high as #19 to the Washington Football Team.

But, that would still leave him a half-round behind the top wide receivers in this class.

2021 NFL Mock Draft (@PFF_Linsey):

4. Broncos (via ATL): Trey Lance

6. Dolphins: Kyle Pitts

19. Washington: Rashod Bateman

32. Bucs: Rondale Moore
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 5, 2021

NEW MOCK

19 WAS WR Rashod Bateman
—
12 PHI WR Devonta Smith
—
10 DAL OT Rashawn Slater
9 DEN QB Mac Jones
8 CAR QB Trey Lance
—
6 MIA OT Peni Sewell
5 CIN WR Ja'Marr Chase
4 ATL TE Kyle Pitts
3 SF QB Justin Fields

1-32 w analysis via @Ryan_McCrystal https://t.co/wQ8ERSzPMe
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 4, 2021