John Bates NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for Washington Football Team TE

HEIGHT: 6'5 3/8"

WEIGHT: 250 lbs

POSITIVES

—Good size and frame.

—Good blocker who maximizes his length with tight hands.

—Adequate athlete who can keep his feet and sustain in his blocking and fluid after the catch.

—Shows above-average balance and body control. Comfortable with his route running. Stays under control the whole way.

—Good, natural hands. Very reliable and can extend to help in contested catch situations.

NEGATIVES

—Just average length on his frame. Blocking technique will have to be consistent at the next level; otherwise he'll get overwhelmed by bigger and longer athletes.

—Below average after the catch and not dynamic in the red zone. Not one to create explosive plays; going to catch his checkdowns and turn north. Lacks acceleration and long speed.

2020 STATISTICS

3 G, 12 rec., 117 yards, 9.8 avg.

OVERALL

John Bates brings enough athleticism and size to the TE position that he will have a chance to stay in-line at the next level. He is a good blocker and wins with his consistent technique and enough play strength and balance to sustain on defenders and he will need to end up being near-perfect in this regard at the next level due to his lack of length.

Bates is a reliable underneath option for QBs, and while you'll never draw up plays for him (he ended college with two career TDs), you don't mind the ball going his way because of his natural hands. Bates has a history on special teams and with his size and athleticism, so he should be a good candidate to play there and has enough blocking chops to back-up the Y TE spot for an NFL team.

GRADE: 6.7/10 (Round 6)

OVERALL RANK: 220/300

POSITION RANK: TE7

PRO COMPARISON: Bear Pascoe

Written by B/R NFL Scout Nate Tice