The 2021 NFL Draft class was one for books in terms of wide receiver talent. Many are expecting this class to be the next big wave of pass-catching talent as three wideouts were taken in the top 10, and five total were drafted in the first round. Of the rookie field, Hawkins took wide receiver Rashod Bateman as his rookie wideout to make the biggest impact in 2021, calling him a “godsend” for Lamar Jackson and that he is more pro-ready than Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith.
“[Bateman] is fast, he is big, he is physical,” Hawkins said.