Cleveland Browns: Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman a welcome 2021 NFL Draft target

Where Bateman shows room for improvement

There is not much cause for concern in Bateman’s game, but the most glaring weakness to his draft profile is his limited upside as an athlete. He will more than likely test along the lines of where 2020 first rounder CeeDee Lamb did, running around a 4.5-4.55 40 yard dash, jumping between a 34-36 inch vertical jump, and around a 10-foot broad jump.

This limited upside is most evident on Bateman’s tape in his limited ability to make a play after the catch with the football in his hands. He is not a likely target on screenplays or quick-hitters in space, as this is not where he has the best ability to win or to give his team a boost.

While it is just splitting hairs at this point, Bateman has room to improve his hand fighting off the line of scrimmage against bigger, more physical cornerbacks in press coverage. Seth Steere of With the First Pick breaks down these issues:

"“… he struggles against corners who like to get physical — the Nebraska game can be used as an example. Bateman found himself lined up against former Cornhusker, Lamar Jackson, (not the Ravens’ quarterback) who is much larger than your average college cornerback and had issues creating space” (Steere via With the First Pick)."

However, with Bateman, the good far outweighs the bad, giving him the makings of a top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Just what does his projection look like, and just what would the Browns have to give up to get him? We take a look there next.