Why John Bates could be the Washington Football Team’s next breakout TE

Versatility

Before starting his collegiate career, Bates was a decorated multi-sport high school athlete. He was an All-State football player, All-Conference basketball player, and a state champion in track and field.

PFF’s scouting report commended Bates’ ability to contribute in multiple areas, saying he is “effective in all facets of the position.” Bates has proven that he is a solid blocker, which is a major need for Washington at the TE2 position.

On top of that, despite receiving limited opportunities, he proved that he can be a threat with the ball in his hands and was a “solid route runner” who “snatches the ball out of the air, making the difficult catch in a crowd.”

Count former Washington tight end, Chris Cooley, who himself was a tri-sport athlete in high school, a big fan of Bates.

"The thing I love is he is a natural athlete. He looks like a basketball player; he’s fluid to the ball….You watch him at Boise State open his body up and make those go-up-and-get-it type catches; he’s a natural, down-the-field threat, more than people actually think."

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay were also effusive in their praise of Bates, mentioning “the best is yet to come” for him as a player.

If the Washington Football Team can get even a tiny fraction of Kyle Pitts in Bates, that would be a major win for the franchise. If he does end up being the downfield threat that Cooley said, that would add another weapon to a revamped, impressive pass-catching corp.

Bates has already started making an impression in practice with one reporter saying he “had the best hands of any receiver on hand” at Washington’s rookie mini-camp.