RASHOD BATEMAN

It wasn't easy for teams to find steals in this year's NFL draft, but several players could exceed expectations in short order.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Nolan Bianchi, who is tracking Thursday's first round of the NFL Draft.

The 2021 NFL Draft is just weeks away and the Detroit Lions have a big decision to make in the top 10.

Detroit owns Pick 7 come April’s draft, adding another third-round selection and two future first-rounders in the process. The Stafford trade has also made the Lions a popular trade candidate heading into the draft once again. Golladay has said he wants to be in Detroit, but that was said before the new hires and Stafford was traded. DeVonta Smith would go a long way in shoring up any concerns with or without Golladay back in the fold. Lance led the team to an FCS national championship, throwing for 2,786 yards with 28 touchdowns and no interceptions.

All of this put together means it’s time to look ahead to this year’s wide receiver draft class. The receiver was limited to five games this past season, catching 20 balls for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Jones took over in Golladay’s absence in 2020, with 76 catches for 978 yards and nine scores while playing 16 games. The Lions are expected to have a new starting quarterback in 2021, and as things stand, a freshly-stocked room of pass-catchers could be on the way too. Still, he’s the reigning Heisman winner and at the top of a loaded receiver draft class.

MINNEAPOLIS — Jim Harbaugh had a hunch that Saturday night’s game was going to be a back-and-forth affair. “We knew Minnesota was good and the momentum was going to change, probably 9-12 times, in the game,” Harbaugh told reporters after. “Just every time our guys needed to step up and make a play and get that momentum back, they did tonight,” Harbaugh said. The game seemed to stabilize in the second half, with both teams trading touchdowns to start before Michigan’s defense took over. “Just honored to be their coach and go out there tonight and take the field with them and fight,” Harbaugh said.

But amid a pandemic, a lengthened offseason that nearly extended into the winter and uncertainties with the Michigan offense, Jim Harbaugh will take it. A possession later, Barrett returned a Minnesota kickoff 65 yards to help set up an easy two-play, nine-yard touchdown drive. Ronnie Bell led the way with four catches for 74 yards, while true freshman Roman Wilson had two catches for 34 yards. Safety Brad Hawkins added seven tackles, while defensive end Kwity Paye added four tackles (three for a loss) and two sacks. Running back Chris Evans, in his first game in a Michigan uniform since 2018, added a fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Michigan 49, Minnesota 242:49 -- Michigan drive starts on Minnesota 30Redshirt freshman Cade McNamara replaced Joe Milton at quarterback. Michigan 49, Minnesota 243:37 -- Minnesota drive starts on own 20On the second play of the drive, linebacker Josh Ross picked of Tanner Morgan. Michigan 7, Minnesota 712:43 -- Michigan drive starts on own 30Well, it only took one play for Michigan to answer. Michigan 7, Minnesota 712:02 -- Minnesota drive starts on Michigan 17The Golden Gophers started with great field position after the blocked punt and took advantage. Minnesota 7, Michigan 015:00 -- Michigan drive starts on own 30As expected, redshirt sophomore Joe Milton starts at quarterback.

Saturday’s game will air on ABC and fans will be able to stream it fuboTV (free trial, regional restrictions apply), Sling and Hulu. Minnesota scouting report: Michigan football will face ex-Wolverine, 400-lb. Sign up for insight on the Wolverines for $4.99 a month (with a 60-day free trial) by texting 734-215-6605. Read more on Michigan football:Wolverine Confidential podcast: Previewing, predicting Michigan vs. MinnesotaRecruiting a ‘guessing game’ for Michigan coaches with some states postponing fall footballThe No. Fleck, taking Minnesota ‘very seriously’5 things we learned about Michigan football this week heading into 2020 opener

It was a news-filled week for Michigan’s football team heading into its 2020 season opener at No. Here are five things we learned this week heading into Saturday’s prime time matchup. “I came back for my senior season,” Collins said on the “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” "Everything was going smooth until this virus outbreak. We’re going to need the entire football team. Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers.

Michigan and Minnesota haven’t met since 2017, when the Wolverines walloped the Golden Gophers in a weather-delayed, soaking wet night game. Well, I’m about to break down four well-thought-out reasons why Michigan will lose to Minnesota, then I’m going to pick Michigan to win anyway. It’s like Minnesota picked up a “Michigan letdown game” appetizer menu and ordered an entire sampler platter. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. At times last season, Michigan struggled to get pressure on the quarterback.

Milton’s arm strength and size make him a unique talent, one who could certainly flip the fortunes of Michigan’s offense. He’s going to have to be selective when and where he’s throwing the football. He has big-play potential, and I think that’s what excites Michigan football fans the most. But I do think there’s something to getting Milton comfortable early on. For subscribers: Projecting Michigan football’s depth chart vs. Minnesota, 2.0Q: Do you think Michigan will play 9 games this year?

Michigan offense vs. Minnesota defenseAll eyes will be on No. He can throw the ball far, he can run, he’s big, he’s strong.”Fleck said he and his coaching staff have scoured film from Milton’s high school days to get a better sense of what they’ll face on Saturday. Minnesota offense vs. Michigan defenseMinnesota has a new offensive coordinator, Mike Sanford Jr., who spent last season in the same role at Utah State. “I’m so excited to see him take on this challenge vs. Minnesota and the great receiver they have,” Ross said. More Michigan football content:‘It’s finally here’: Michigan football thankful for an actual game, at MinnesotaQ&A with Minnesota beat writer: Who’s going to help WR Rashod Bateman?

Minnesota brings back its 1-2 punch from a season ago, quarterback Tanner Morgan and Big Ten receiver of the year Rashod Bateman, in what should be another explosive Golden Gophers offense. Q: Minnesota surprised some folks last year in the Big Ten with its 11-win season and dazzling offensive display. If Big Ten Receiver of the Year Rashod Bateman had stayed opted out, my answer might have changed. 3 receiver last year who had some sparkling moments, but he’s going to need to take some of the heat off Rashod. I do think Fleck likes it here.

The battle for the second starting cornerback position presses on heading into Michigan’s season opener Saturday at Minnesota, but there are no qualms about who is its No. Redshirt sophomore Vincent Gray, the only cornerback on the roster with starting experience, will assume the No. “That’s definitely Vincent Gray’s task,” Michigan safety Brady Hawkins told reporters via a video call Tuesday when asked about defending Bateman. Although Bateman initially opted out of the 2020 season, he decided to return to the team last month. I’m just so excited to see him take on this challenge vs. Minnesota and the great receiver that they have.”Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers.

Since the Big Ten announced last month that it will indeed play a fall football season, arguably the two best receivers in the conference have opted back in for the 2020 season. But Bateman isn’t the only elite wideout the Wolverines are scheduled to face in 2020. Jayden Reed, Michigan StateReed had to sit out last season after transferring from Western Michigan, but he is expected to make an instant impact for the Spartans. Rashod Bateman, MinnesotaBateman initially opted out of the 2020 season in August but was reinstated by the NCAA last week after he signed with an NFL agent. His return is a huge boost for the Golden Gophers, who open the season against Michigan on Oct. 24.

Minnesota is getting its star wide receiver back for an abbreviated Big Ten season. Minnesota announced Wednesday that Rashod Bateman was cleared to play this season by the NCAA and Big Ten after opting out in August. At Penn State, coach James Franklin closed the door on All-America linebacker Micah Parsons returning to the Nittany Lions. Both Bateman and Parsons opted out of the 2020 season before the Big Ten postponed amid concerns about the pandemic. Purdue All-America receiver Rondale Moore, who opted out early like Parsons and Bateman, was cleared to play for the Boilermakers last week.

Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman received an NCAA waiver Wednesday, reinstating him for the 2020 season after he initially opted out to focus on the 2021 NFL Draft. The projected first-round pick had 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019 for the 11-2 Golden Gophers. “These past few months have been uncertain and challenging -- challenging for myself, the university and our society,” Bateman said in a video he posted on Twitter. The former four-star receiver joins a notable list of players to opt back in for this season season, including Michigan starting right tackle Jalen Mayfield. The Wolverines have never faced Bateman, who has 111 career receptions, 1,923 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons at Minnesota.

Michigan’s third-iteration Big Ten schedule included some familiar opponents, many of whom were expected to be included anyway, but seeing them on paper doesn’t make things easier. On Oct. 24, season-opening weekend for the Big Ten’s revised, nine-game schedule, Harbaugh’s team will make the 600-mile trek to Minneapolis to play an up-and-coming Minnesota team. A Dec. 5 home game against Maryland serves as the lead up to the biggest game of the season, the annual showdown against Ohio State. Having to play Ohio State and Penn State in one season is difficult enough, but throw in Minnesota and Wisconsin and Michigan could make the case for having the most difficult schedule in the conference. Read more on Michigan football:DE Aidan Hutchinson in for 2020 seasonRecruiting: LB Casey Phinney flips commitment from MichiganU-M fixes schedule so Ohio State, Michigan State visit opposite yearsJim Harbaugh on ESPN: ‘Lot of juice’ in practice this weekUrban Meyer: Michigan QB Joe Milton a ‘Cam Newton lookalike’

Viewing the loss of the 2020 schedule in a vacuum, however, is never the perspective that Fleck and his staff and players would take. The more time we have to build this football team, the better were going to be, Fleck said. The pandemic already cost the Gophers one star player, with NFL-bound wide receiver Rashod Bateman opting out for health reasons. The original 2020 slate had plenty of advantages for the Gophers, with no Ohio State or Penn State on the schedule and no road games until October. Now were going to do it our way, Fleck said, adding: There will be another season.