Jaguars draft: 3 wide receiver targets with 25th overall pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars have options at 25, including Rashod Bateman.

Last year, Minnesota saw wide receiver Tyler Johnson get drafted in the second round, and Rashod Bateman has a chance to go in the first in 2020. A four-star recruit out of high school, the Georgia native became a key contributor for the Golden Gophers in his freshman year, appearing in 13 games and hauling in 51 receptions for 704 yards and six touchdowns.

Bateman wasn’t done though and had an even better sophomore campaign, catching 60 passes or 1,219 yards and 11 trips to the end zone in 13 games. Although he just played five games in 2020, he was his productive self and played at a high level. His yard-per-catch average went from 20.3 to 13.1 but still managed to haul in 36 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns.

Even though Bateman isn’t in the same wide-receiver tier as Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, he should still garner consideration as a first-round selection. During his collegiate career, he showed superb route-running skills and the ability to make contested catches, breaking 36 tackles on 147 catches, per Pro Football Focus. Moreover, he has the flexibility to line up out wide and in the slot.

Ryan Gosling of Pro Football Network projects in a recent mock draft the Indianapolis Colts will take Bateman with the 21st overall pick. However, he could be an option at 25 if the Jaguars are interested in selecting a wide receiver.