5 prospects the Vikings don’t want to see land in NFC North in 2021
By Nik Edlund
Rashod Bateman – WR (Minnesota)
No one wants to see a former Minnesota Golden Gopher end up in the NFC North, especially to the Packers. But this could happen this year with Rashod Bateman and it would not be enjoyable from a fan’s perspective as well as the Vikings’ side of things.
Bateman isn’t a burner like some of the other receivers in this class, but he’s fast enough. What he is, is an established route runner with reliable hands. He’ll be a guy who keeps the chains moving and make clutch grabs that keep drives alive. He’d be a dangerous weapon in Green Bay when paired with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.
The Packers have failed to address the wide receiver position early in the draft for many years, instead relying on late rounders like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Alan Lazard to line up with Adams.
Valdes-Scantling has had issues with his hands and Lazard has battled injuries. If Bateman is still on the board, he’d make a ton of sense for the Packers.
Vikings fans who love the Gophers will scream in outrage and they would be forced to root against a guy they’ve been in love with for the last three years.
Bateman could also be an option for the Bears at pick No. 20, and while that’d also be a tough pill for Gophers and Vikings fans to swallow, it’d be easier to take as he’d be less dangerous in Chicago’s offense catching balls from the Red Rocket, Andy Dalton.