In the 2021 NFL Draft, Rashod Bateman was selected 27th overall by the Baltimore Ravens as a wide receiver out of the University of Minnesota.
Many fans wonder what Rashod Bateman’s 40 time is considering his speed as a wide receiver.
Bateman ran an unofficial 40 time of 4.39 seconds at the Golden Gophers pro day in 2021. The NFL combine was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2021.
At six feet and one inch tall and weighing one hundred and ninety pounds, Rashod Bateman’s 40 time was quite impressive.
It is imperative to note that this 40 time is unofficial. Unofficial 40 times are typically recorded using a stopwatch, which is less accurate than laser timing used for official 40 times.
Since the combine was cancelled, other players such as Elijah Moore, Kadarius Toney, and Rondale were unable to get official 40 times.
Pre Draft Strengths And Weaknesses
Now that Rashod Bateman has had a chance to play in the NFL, it can be informative to look back on these old pre-draft assessments to see how accurate they were.
Possess NFL Size as an Outside Target
One of the biggest positives about Bateman’s entry into the NFL was his frame as a wide receiver. Many talented athletes enter the league as rookies with either talent or frame.
In his rookie year, Bateman used his frame and catch radius to consistently catch passes from the quarterback, making him a scout favorite as he approached the draft.
So far, Bateman has mainly relied on his frame to catch balls at the first level.
Carries Pro-Ready Hands
As a prospect, Rashod Bateman showed consistency with his hands. By the time you enter the NFL, teams expect receivers to catch all passes that touch their hands.
Bateman was able to consistently catch passes in college, so he was an excellent option on third downs when you need a reliable receiver.
Instinctive to Scramble and Uncover when Plays come off Schedule
Bateman showed off the ability to scramble during college football plays to help his quarterback. When plays were broken, Bateman was able to use his chemistry with the quarterback to get open for a pass.
Lamar Jackson, who is a very athletic quarterback, often scrambles in the pocket now that he is in the NFL.
He scrambled for an important catch several times during his rookie season as Lamar got open.
The Average Burst Through his Routes when Changing Directions
As a prospect, Bateman’s ability to burst out of cuts on his routes was a negative. Without speed out of the cut, it can be hard to separate from defenders.
Despite his first year in the NFL, Bateman hasn’t shown he can create separation downfield. Most of his passes came at the first level, where Bateman wasn’t required to create much separation.