4 Commanders set for bigger roles after 2022 offseason

2. John Bates

The Commanders are well aware of Logan Thomas’ recovery from December ACL surgery. Either the front office is being extremely stingy with its financial resources of its bullish on Thomas being cleared in time for Week 1 vs Jacksonville.

The latter scenario would see Thomas return to game action nine months removed from the operation, which would be pretty standard for most pro athletes. Given the lack of experience behind the 30-year-old, fans expressed their desire to add an assuring presence in the stacked veteran free agent pool.

We all know how pivotal Ricky Seals-Jones was last season when Thomas was shelved for all but six games, but perhaps the Commanders’ lack of urgency can be attributed to the confidence they have in 2021 fourth-rounder John Bates.

With Sam Cosmi limited to nine games, Bates was far and away Washington’s standout rookie performer last campaign. When all was said and done, the Boise State product produced 20 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown.

Bates isn’t a vertical threat by any stretch of the imagination, but that’s not why he was drafted. He’s a chain-mover (11 of his catches went for first downs) as a pass-catcher and a people-mover as a blocker. In fact, the 24-year-old’s 87.6 run-blocking grade finished first on the team, per Pro Football Focus.

With Thomas still on the mend, Bates is your current frontrunner to open next campaign as Washington’s No. 1 tight end.