Wide Receiver Scouting Journal - Week 2
Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, I will be evaluating and grading over 50 wide receiver prospects. I’ll write scouting reports on 2-5 wide receiver prospects and organize them in a weekly journal.
Each scouting report will include background information, strengths, weaknesses and an overview of them as a prospect. The intent is to illustrate where they will be able to succeed on an NFL field, but some potential areas where they may struggle as they transition to the pro ranks.
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To Read the Week 1 Wide Receiver Scouting Journal on DeVonta Smith, Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle, Click Here.
Rashod Bateman, Minnesota, 6-2 210
Background: A third-year junior, Georgia-native Rashod Bateman was an immediate contributor to Minnesota upon arriving on campus. He started all 13 games his freshman season, setting school records in receptions (51) and receiving yards (704). He took a step forward as a sophomore, producing 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns and being named Third-Team All-American, First-Team All-Big 10 and a Biletnikoff Award finalist. During that season, he led the nation in yard per route run while lined up outside at 3.6. Bateman initially opted-out of the 2020 season before reversing course and ultimately playing in five games, posting 36 receptions for 472 yards. Bateman was primarily an outside receiver as a sophomore before taking more slot reps as a junior to get more involved in Minnesota’s Slant-RPO based offense.
Strengths: Bateman is a technical, three-level route runner with alignment versatility. Natural traits against press coverage, with a varied release package and mostly clean footwork. Adept lateral athlete, will gain ground and eliminate cushion. Understands how to manipulate leverage at the line of scrimmage. Has the body control to win along the boundary and in tight windows. Natural extension to the catchpoint. Fluid through his post and slant breaks, and is a double move artist. Adjusts angles in his stem to constantly be creating passing windows. Light on his feet for a bigger-bodied wide receiver, while being strong through his routes. Outstanding player out of structure who works to get open in his quarterback’s vision. Breaks tackles at a high-rate after the catch, gaining yards through contact. Will finish while contested, especially down the field. Competitive blocker with solid effort and sound technique, will work hard after his teammates make receptions.
Weaknesses: Mostly a technically sound receiver, but he could adjust his stance for more initial burst. This could help his pure vertical routes, as his long speed is only slightly above average. Lacks true breakaway speed in space. Strong after the catch but not necessarily elusive enough to consistently make defenders miss tackles. Will occasionally be unable to process and fit into the curl window against zone coverage, still developing in that area.
Charting Info: 8 games of 2019 (Fresno State, Georgia Southern, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, South Dakota State, Wisconsin)
70 targets - 45 receptions (64.2%), 890 yards (12.7 yards per target), 10 touchdowns
Throws 15+ yards downfield - 19/32, 539 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Go, Fade, Seam routes - 7/14, 201 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception
Outside Alignment - 34/52, 679 yards, 7 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
Slot Alignment - 11/18, 211 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
Slant, “Bang” Post routes - 13/18, 222 yards
Press Coverage - 9/19, 222 yards, 2 touchdowns
Forced 10 missed tackles, 284 yards after the catch (6.3 yards after catch, per reception)
Targets Outside of the #’s - 17/27, 373 yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception
Overview: Rashod Bateman shows natural starting “X” receiver traits, as his footwork and three-level route running is a weapon on the outside of the formation. With these traits and upside declaring as a true junior, as well as a developing profile from the slot, Bateman projects as a potential #1 receiver target for an NFL team with 1-2 years of development.
Player Comparison: Corey Davis
Kadarius Toney, Florida, 5-11 189
Background: A native of Mobile, Alabama, fourth-year senior Kadarius Toney committed to Florida after a decorated high school career as a quarterback. He filled a utility role early in his collegiate career, serving as a wide receiver, returner, part-time running back and wildcat quarterback. He battled injuries during his freshman and junior seasons, and was a part of a balanced passing attack as a sophomore. Toney finally got his chance to shine as a full-time starting wide receiver as a senior in 2020. He produced 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games, doing most of his work from the slot. He had 161 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries (8.5), 155 yards on 7 kick returns (22.1), and another 139 yards and a touchdown on 11 punt returns (12.6).
Strengths: Incredible balance and explosiveness with the ball in his hands. Can bounce off of contact in space while remaining upright, or be shifty and elusive around tacklers. His knee drive through defenders and flexibility get him out of a lot of tackle angles or through multiple players. His explosiveness translates to his ability at the top of the route, as he’ll crossover defensive backs and separate. Can really drop his hips and burst on direct angles, or accelerate through speed cuts. Has the deep speed and acceleration to stretch the field from the slot, especially when given a free release at the line of scrimmage. Can be a deep threat when properly schemed to avoid press coverage. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder and has natural extension and proper eye discipline at the catchpoint. Return and horizontal stretch versatility, field vision to become one of the best punt returners in the NFL.
Weaknesses: Struggles handling contact during his route stems, gets ridden out of his route. This likely prevents any ability to play along the boundary in the NFL. Fails to win in contested situations far too often, and his lack of strength and short arms limit any projected development in that area. Separation is required for him to come down with the ball. Ineffective as a blocker, fails to remain engaged or run his feet and be physical with the defender. Will occasionally try to make too much happen in his routes and with the ball in his hands, resulting in a loss of yardage or a slow break. Needs more live reps after injuries and a deep wide receiver room limited his snaps early in his college career. Concentration drops happen too often on short or intermediate throws in space.
Overview: Kadarius Toney projects as a natural slot receiver in the NFL, and one who could be used as a versatile weapon. The team that selects him will get the most out of his skill-set if they commit to using Toney in the return game, use him to stretch the defense with motions, get the ball quickly in his hands through hand-offs or screens and on short-to-intermediate routes. His ability to break drives open after the catch will be valuable and sought after, making him a likely top-50 selection.
Player Comparison: Randall Cobb