Washington Football Team: Grades for each 2021 NFL Draft pick
Round 4: John Bates, Tight End, Boise State
When Boise St. tight end John Bates was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fourth round, fans quickly asked two questions. First, is Bates a good tight end? Secondly, who is John Bates? Yes, he is something of an unknown after playing on “The Blue”, Boise State’s famed football field.
Bates was able to haul in a total of 47 receptions during his four years for the Broncos. In other words, he doesn’t bring much to the table as a receiver. He is undeniably a good blocker and that will be his primary contribution for now.
Tight ends coach Pete Hoener transformed Logan Thomas into a solid receiver in just one season. Can Hoener conjure up the same magic and mold Bates into a dependable receiver in the NFL? It’s certainly possible, but Bates will probably require more than one season to fully develop as a reliable target in the passing offense.
For now, this was definitely a huge reach in the fourth round and Bates could’ve been available with the first pick of the seventh round.
It’s a long way from The Blue to FedEx Field. It’s also a long way from playing in the Mountain West Conference to the NFL. Can Bates successfully make the leap? We’ll know in the next two or three years.
Verdict: It’s difficult to keep an open mind about this selection. Bates is a seventh-rounder who was chosen in the fourth round. There were better players available at various positions in Round 4.