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The Eagles are expecting huge things from Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, in what could be the final season for both players in Philadelphia.
During the 2020 NFL Draft, the Eagles added Jalen Reagor (TCU), John Hightower (Boise State), and Quez Watkins (Southern Miss). The hope is that all three players have productive rookie seasons and allow the Birds to solidify the wide receiver spot.
If for some reason one or two of those players don’t pan out, the Birds will have plenty of options coming out in 2021. In the first of a way too early 2021 mock draft from 24/7 Sports, the Eagles land Minnesota All-American Rashod Bateman late in the first round.
27. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA, WR
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound standout is an “an alpha receiver … [with] physical tools [that] are off the charts,” raves Pro Football Talk. PFT is so high on Bateman, it has him ranked higher among receivers than Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith.
A Georgia native, Bateman spurned SEC schools to attend Minnesota and he hasn’t looked back ever since.
Bateman started at wide receiver as a true freshman and set a Golden Gophers freshman record with 51 receptions, 704 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Last season as a true sophomore, Bateman was named a semifinalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award and first-team All-Big Ten after catching 57 passes for 1,170 yards (20.5 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns.
Bateman earned Second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today and was a third-team selection by the Associated Press.
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