Minnesota Football: Who’ll replace Rashod Bateman as WR1?
By Nick Fiore
With Rashod Bateman’s decision to opt out for the 2020 Minnesota football season, somebody in the receiving room needs to step up.
Minnesota’s leading returning pass-catcher and 2019 Big Ten Receiver of the Year Rashod Bateman will be opting out of the 2020 season. Due to COVD-19 concerns, Bateman won’t be participating this season and has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Bateman was a key member of the Gophers’ impressive passing attack last season. He had 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Losing Bateman could be devastating for this offense as last season’s leading receiver Tyler Johnson is now in the NFL. That duo was one of the best in the country and the Gophers’ biggest strength on their roster.
There’s now a lack of experience in the receiving room and somebody is going to have to step up to replace Bateman’s production.
Here are three guys to keep an eye on.