The two star wide receivers for the Oklahoma State Cowboys will be able to show off their skill sets at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile on Saturday. While James Washington got more of the hype as the 2017 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, his teammate in Marcell Ateman might end up being the better pro prospect.
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What makes Ateman so interesting as a prospect is his ability to thrive playing opposite of a star collegiate player. Yes, it helps having a potential franchise quarterback in Mason Rudolph slinging him the ball against Big 12 defenses, but Ateman’s game could translate well to the next level. Washington might be more of a speed guy on the outside, while Ateman makes plays all over the field.
In his four years playing for Oklahoma State, Ateman had 146 catches for 2,466 yards and 13 touchdowns. Keep in mind that he had to redshirt in 2016 after sustaining a foot injury during fall camp. He bounced back resoundingly with his best season for the Pokes in 2017 with 59 catches for 1,156 yards and eight touchdowns.
At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Ateman has the size to be a mismatch as a possession receiver at the professional level. If Oakland does look to move off Michael Crabtree this offseason, it may not be a bad play to draft his successor in a guy like Ateman out of Oklahoma State. He just might be able to get out of Washington’s shadow down in Mobile in the 2018 Senior Bowl.