Saints: Top 5 WR prospects as the 2021 draft closes in

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Terrace Marshall Jr. #6 of the LSU Tigers celebrates scoring a 29-yard receiving touchdown during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Saints 2021 NFL Draft WR prospect: Rashod Bateman – Minnesota

Rashod Bateman finished up his junior year at the University of Minnesota in 2020. Throughout 31 collegiate games, Bateman finished with 147 receptions for 2,395 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns from 2018-2020.

According to Lance Zierlein from NFL.com, “Bateman plays with pro-ready hands and the upper-body agility needed to adjust in air and bring the ball in. He needs to play with grit in contested catch battles and do a better job of defending catch space.”

Bateman finished No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 8 in the NCAA in receiving yards per reception with 20.3. He also finished No. 2 in the Big Ten in total receiving yards and No. 5 in the Big Ten in total scrimmage yards with 1,219 yards in 2019.

For a team that needs a wide receiver, Bateman could be a perfect fit. Similar to many of these receivers though, Bateman could easily be off the board before No. 28, but if he isn’t, he should be a black and gold priority.

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