Minnesota Football: Rashod Bateman and Benjamin St.-Juste ink rookie NFL contracts

Former Minnesota Golden Gophers Rashod Bateman and Benjamin St.-Juste have both signed rookie contracts with their respective NFL teams after being drafted last month.

Bateman, who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round as the 27th overall pick, signed a four-year contract worth $12.6 million guaranteed. His signing bonus was $6.5 million.

St.-Juste, who was drafted by the Washington Football Team in the third round as the 74th overall pick, maxed out as a third-rounder, signing for $551,118 above the minimum. He reportedly inked a four-year contract worth $5.1 million, with a $1 million signing bonus.

Bateman is expected to provide an immediate boost to the Ravens’ passing game, giving quarterback Lamar Jackson another weapon at wide receiver to go along with Marquise Brown. Baltimore also drafted Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace and signed Sammy Watkins to a one-year contract in an effort to pad their receiving corps.

Washington lost starting cornerback Ronald Darby to free agency, but return Kendall Fuller and Jimmy Moreland. The WFT also signed former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson III to a three-year, $40.5 million contract this offseason. St.-Juste, who is still considered a bit raw but with plenty of upside after playing in only 18 games for the Gophers, should have a chance to continue his development before stepping into a potential starting role.