The Green Bay Packers didn’t take a wide receiver in the 2020 draft, but maybe Brian Gutekunst’s big investment at the position will finally arrive in 2021.
Draft Wire’s way too early mock draft for next year predicts the Packers will use a late pick in the first round on Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman, one of the top returning pass-catchers in the country.
The Packers haven’t taken a wide receiver in the first round of a draft since drafting Javon Walker at No. 20 overall in 2002.
If he declares for next year’s draft, Bateman might be worth snapping the Packers’ receiver-less streak.
As a sophomore in 2019, Bateman caught 60 passes for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns, both school records for a sophomore. He was named an All-American, a first-team All-Big Ten pick, the Big Ten receiver of the year and a Biletnikoff Award finalist. Bateman has seven 100-yard games and 17 touchdowns in just 26 appearances.
Bateman’s teammate, Tyler Johnson, was drafted in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, opening the door for Bateman to handle even more targets from Tanner Morgan in 2020. Another strong season should solidify Bateman’s status as a top prospect in the 2021 draft.
No one can know if receiver will remain a primary need after the 2020 season. The Packers are hoping for a big season from Allen Lazard and Devin Funchess and bounce-back performances from Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown to stabilize the position behind Davante Adams.
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