Gophers fan will have their eyes on the NFL Draft again. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste are quickly moving up draft boards.
After running a 4.39 40-yard dash (laser time) at the EXOS combine, Bateman is gaining even more buzz. One person in the NFL told me a sub-4.5 40-time would really alter his draft stock. Bateman shattered that expectation and is putting himself squarely in the first round conversation. Rashod’s combination of high-level production, detailed route running and athletic ability will translate well to the NFL. If you’re interested in a detailed All-22 breakdown of his 2019 season, click here.
Additionally, Benjamin St-Juste put on a show at the Senior Bowl. He was one of the most consistent and productive players on the field. St-Juste’s skill set features above average length, agility and flexibility. His unique athletic ability will allow him to play within several different systems. However, St-Juste may fit best in a Cover-3 heavy scheme because of his elite recovery speed and length. He frequently breaks on the ball and gets his long arms into passing lanes. I also think St-Juste could play as a press-style cover cornerback at the next level. This type of versatility is something that will help his draft stock.
If you want to read and watch a detailed St-Juste breakdown, click here.
Where could Bateman and St-Juste be selected in next month’s draft? I joined Tyler Forness on the Skol Search podcast to discuss every Gophers prospect. We also looked ahead to Minnesota’s future draft classes. Which players should you keep an eye on next year?
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