2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trevor Lawrence tank pays off for Jaguars, Trey Lance to Raiders

While P.J. Fleck was still entrenching himself and his mentality at Minnesota in 2018, freshman wide receiver Rashod Bateman started to make a name for himself, even if the Golden Gophers as a whole weren’t quite there yet. The youngster had 51 catches for 704 yards and six scores. However, as Minnesota took off in the 2019 campaign, Bateman was one of the breakout stars.

In the 2019 season, the 6-2, 210-pound wide receiver was one of the best big-play threats in the country. Catching 60 balls on the year, Bateman averaged 20.3 yards per reception as he totaled 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year. Now, with Tyler Johnson gone for the NFL, Bateman could be in line for an even bigger year in the 2020 season with quarterback Tanner Morgan.

The fact that the Green Bay Packers didn’t select a wide receiver, regardless of what you think about the Jordan Love pick, in the 2020 draft is downright criminal. But even still, you have to believe that the front office will at least change that in trying to give both Aaron Rodgers a weapon to help with Davante Adams now and someone Love can grow with.

Bateman seemingly has the goods to be that type of player for the Packers offense. With size, speed and the ability to win as a vertical threat, he would be a nice asset to complement Adams and help this offense thrive in ways it struggled to in 2019 and likely will in 2020 as well.