3-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos, Bears trade up for quarterbacks
By Randy Gurzi
Pick Analysis. WR. 22. 35. Scouting Report. Minnesota. Rashod Bateman. player
22. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Tennessee Titans have suddenly become one of the better teams in the AFC thanks to the rise of Ryan Tannehill and A.J. Brown. Of course, they had other offensive weapons in 2020 including a decent running back by the name of Derrick Henry.
While those three are returning, the Titans are going to be without two of their starters from 2020 as Corey Davis signed with the New York Jets and Jonnu Smith joined the New England Patriots. With them out of the picture, Tennessee needs another playmaker on offense and they land a good one here in Rashod Bateman.
A stud wide receiver from Minnesota, Bateman would not only replace Davis out wide, but he would give the Titans two legit No. 1 wide receivers. Bateman is listed at 6-foot-2 and 210-pounds giving him ideal height for the position. He’s also been impossible to cover, gaining 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns in 31 career games.
He played five games during his junior campaign before deciding to prepare for the NFL Draft and while he’s not being talked about in the same category as Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, or Jaylen Waddle, he should be. Bateman is just as consistent as any of those players and he did it without elite quarterback play around him.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he comes to a team like Tennessee and has a season similar to what Justin Jefferson did for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.