3 years agoWashington Football Team tight end John Bates was drafted in the fourth round of this year's draft, as the team looked for some depth behind their unquestioned starter Logan Thomas. The Boise State product did not catch the ball much in college, as he finished his collegiate career with just 47 receptions in 46 games, so he will have to find a way to contribute in other ways to crack Washington's roster. Throughout camp, the 23-year-old has done exactly that, as he has impressed head coach Ron Rivera with his physicality and ability to be an effective blocker. "I like how he works because he knows that the more he develops, the better he gets, the more he'll get an opportunity to play more and more," Rivera said. Bates probably won't be relied on too much as a receiver, so the improvements he can make as a blocker in both passing and running situations will likely determine the role he secures in the offense. If he were to make the final roster, he wouldn't have any fantasy appeal unless Thomas misses time. Still, it doesn't seem he would have a significant role as a receiver even if this were to happen.--Tommy Adamopoulos - RotoBaller
Source: Zach Selby