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A very Merry Draftmas to you!
We continue our tradition of profiling an NFL Draft prospect every day in April, leading up to the NFL Draft on April 29th. Every day, you’ll get a prospect profile that includes how they would fit with the Kansas City Chiefs.
This offseason, the Chiefs said goodbye to Sammy Watkins — and have yet to make a move to replace him. Could they look in the draft? Here’s a Big Ten receiver who might be worth selecting as early as pick 31.
Rashod Bateman, wide receiver
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6’ | 190 lbs | Minnesota
Tifton, GA
Expected draft range: Late day one, early day two
Pro Day: 4.43 40-yard dash, 36” vertical jump, 123” broad jump, 4.35 short shuttle, 6.95 three cone
One-sentence bio: 2019 All-Big Ten and third team All-American who initially opted out of the 2020 season before opting back in and playing five games.
One-sentence scouting report: Physical, strong receiver with excellent body control who wins at the catch point and generates explosive plays outside the numbers.
One play:
Best part about Bateman's game:
— Matt Lane (@ChiefinCarolina) July 24, 2020
Everything? Bateman's body control and ball tracking are outstanding. Constantly attacks the ball at it's highest point with a strong stab even if he has to contort his body.
Vertical, MOF, through contact, doesn't matter, elite ball skills. pic.twitter.com/zDEaO70LHv
How he fits in Kansas City: The Chiefs should add some additional firepower to their pass-catcher group for both the short and long term. There’s an immediate need for a true X receiver like Watkins, so Bateman would make a lot of sense. He may not be a player who wins with consistent separation — the way some others in this class will — but when the ball is in the air, it’s his. He is excellent at the catch point. He would be a fascinating player to get involved with Patrick Mahomes outside the numbers.
While not the fastest receiver — or the most dynamic route runner — Bateman’s strengths fit in well with the Chiefs’ offense. He can win against press coverage — and with his strong hands, catch the ball in contested areas. As a route runner, he has still room for growth — and that’s a good thing. There’s a good baseline from which to build and develop.
If the Chiefs want Bateman, they’ll likely need take him at 31 — their first pick of their draft. He may not even fall to that point. I wouldn’t expect the Chiefs to move up for him, but if he’s there at the end of the first round, he will be worth considering.
KC Draft Guide
The 2021 version of the KC Draft Guide is still available for pre-order — and releases Monday, April 5!
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The 2021 KC Draft Guide provides a one-stop shop that shows how the top college prospects fit with your Kansas City Chiefs. This digital download will include detailed analysis and profiles of hundreds of prospects, player comps, scheme-fit analysis, a Chiefs draft pick trade chart, features, a mock draft and more!
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