John Bates Fantasy outlook, stats and Week 4 start/sit for 2026
- Age
- 28
- Height / weight
- 6'6", 256 lb
- Experience
- 6th season
- Drafted
- 2021 R4, #124
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 1.7
- Pos rank
- TE56
- Rostered
- —
Week 4 vs. Colts, Sun Oct 4, 9:30 AM ET 7th vs. TEs, favorable
John Bates Fantasy Football Stats & Analysis
Scoring rate
1.7 PPG
Played
3 games
Role
Depth
Trend
Stable
John Bates's 2026 Season, Week by Week
3 games played: three busts. The next four matchups include one of the league's softest pass defenses.
- Week 1, Loss,at PHI,3.3,TE39
- Week 2, Loss,at DAL,0.0,TE74
- Week 3, Win,vs SEA,1.9,TE51
- Up next. Week 4, Oct 4,vs IND,FavorableColts vs. TEs
- Week 5, Oct 11,vs NYG,NeutralGiants vs. TEs
- Week 6, Oct 19,at SF,Neutral49ers vs. TEs
- Week 7,Bye,No game
Matchup rank is PPR points allowed to TEs through Week 4. 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Should You Start or Roster John Bates?
Bates is averaging 1.7 PPR points per game through 3 games, with 3 catches for 22 yards and 0 TD on 4 targets. That ranks TE56, which makes him a bench stash in most leagues.
He has caught 75.0% of his targets at 5.5 yards per target. His quarterback has been Jayden Daniels.
His best week was TE39 in Week 1 at the Eagles (3.3 points); his worst, TE74 in Week 2 at the Cowboys (0.0). Two favorable matchups are coming: the Colts (7th vs. TEs) in Week 4 and the Bengals (5th vs. TEs) in Week 11.
For the season-long call, whether to hold, trade or start him, check where Bates ranks among all TEs in Redraft Command.
John Bates 2026 Game Log
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @ Eagles | L 22–24 | 3.3 | TE39 |
| 2 | @ Cowboys | L 20–37 | 0.0 | TE74 |
| 3 | vs Seahawks | W 33–31 | 1.9 | TE51 |
| Total | 1–2 | 5.2 | TE56 |
Career Fantasy Stats by Season
| Season | Team | GP | Tgt | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD | FPTS | PPG | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | WAS | 3 | 4 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 5.2 | 1.7 | — |
| 2025 | WAS | 15 | 16 | 11 | 103 | 1 | 27.3 | 1.8 | TE70 |
| 2024 | WAS | 17 | 13 | 8 | 84 | 0 | 14.4 | 0.8 | TE78 |
| 2023 | WAS | 17 | 28 | 19 | 151 | 0 | 34.1 | 2.0 | TE59 |
| 2022 | WAS | 16 | 22 | 14 | 108 | 1 | 30.8 | 1.9 | TE62 |
| Career | 85 | 108 | 75 | 717 | 3 | 161.7 | 1.9 |
Rest-of-Season Outlook and Availability
Outlook
The broader picture confirms it. He sits buried on the depth chart with no expanded role on the horizon, and projections topping out near 18 catches, 174 yards, and a couple of scores leave him as a low-end TE3 going essentially undrafted. He stays a blocking-first body to leave on the wire until something opens up. Next on the depth chart after him: Ben Sinnott. Full outlook
Injury status
Active, no designation
TEs like John Bates
John Bates Fantasy Football FAQ
Should I start John Bates in Week 4?
John Bates is a bench stash in most leagues for Week 4 against the Colts, as the TE56 in PPR total points this season (1.7 a game). The Colts rank 7th in PPR points allowed to TEs, a favorable matchup. Get the start/sit call for Bates.
How many fantasy points is John Bates averaging in 2026?
John Bates is averaging 1.7 PPR fantasy points per game in 2026, 5.2 points across 3 games. His last game produced 1.9 points.
Where does John Bates rank in fantasy football in 2026?
John Bates ranks TE56 in PPR total points in 2026, through 3 games. That makes him a bench stash in most leagues. View his complete season statistics.
Is John Bates worth rostering in fantasy football?
Yes, in the right league: John Bates is a bench stash in TE-premium leagues and waiver-wire material in 12-team and 10-team leagues.
What is John Bates's fantasy football role?
John Bates is TE2 on the Commanders depth chart. He is averaging 1.3 targets a game, on 44% of the offensive snaps in 2026.
What are John Bates's upcoming fantasy football matchups?
John Bates's next three games are Week 4 vs. the Colts (7th in PPR points allowed to TEs, favorable), Week 5 vs. the Giants (17th in PPR points allowed to TEs, neutral) and Week 6 at the 49ers (21st in PPR points allowed to TEs, neutral). One of them is favorable by points allowed to the position.
How consistent has John Bates been in fantasy football this season?
John Bates has finished as a top-12 TE in 0 of his 3 games this season and outside the top 36 in 3. His weekly scoring has a standard deviation of 1.7 points around his 1.7-point average.
What is John Bates's fantasy floor and ceiling?
This season John Bates's floor has been 0.0 PPR points (Week 2, TE74) and his ceiling 3.3 (Week 1, TE39). His median week has been 1.9 points. See Bates's full game log.
John Bates 2026 Stats
2026 through Week 4 · Washington CommandersHe hasn't scored a touchdown yet, so all of his fantasy production has come from volume.
Receiving
- Rec
- 3
- Yards
- 22
- TD
- 0
- Targets
- 4
7.3 Y/R75.0% Catch %
Fantasy (PPR)
- Points
- 5.2
- Pos rank
- TE56
3.3 Best Week 1 @ PHI0.0 Worst Week 2 @ DAL
Advanced Receiving Stats
Bates is an intermediate target (3.6 yards per target last season), with a 4.3% target share this season.
| Stat | 2026 Thru Wk 4 | 2025 9 games | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | ||||
| Yards per target | 5.5 | — | 6.4 | — |
| Fantasy points per target | 0.55 | — | 0.64 | — |
| Yards per route run | — | — | 0.55 | — |
| YAC per reception | 7.3 | — | 5.9 | — |
| Catch rate | 75.0% | — | 64.3% | — |
| Usage | ||||
| Target share | 4.3% | — | 3.4% | — |
| Snap share | 44.7% | — | 50.9% | — |
| Air-yards share | 0.9% | — | 1.3% | — |
| Red-zone targets | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Route participation | — | — | 33.8% | — |
| Style | ||||
| Average depth of target | 2.0 | — | 3.6 | — |
Percentiles: 2026: below the qualifying line so far, so no percentiles · 2025 (9 games, weeks 1–17): below the qualifying line, so no percentiles.
For fantasy: his floor is his volume, 1.3 targets a game this season; efficiency decides how much of it becomes points.
Fantasy Points per Game, Every Season
1.7
Fantasy PPG
1.3
Targets/g
7
Rec yds/g
John Bates career stats by season
| Season | GP | Tgt | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD | Rush yds | FPTS | PPG | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | 3 | 4 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 5.2 | 1.7 | — |
| 2025 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 103 | 1 | 0 | 27.3 | 1.8 | TE70 |
| 2024 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 14.4 | 0.8 | TE78 |
| 2023 | 17 | 28 | 19 | 151 | 0 | 0 | 34.1 | 2.0 | TE59 |
| 2022 | 16 | 22 | 14 | 108 | 1 | 0 | 30.8 | 1.9 | TE62 |
| 2021 | 17 | 25 | 20 | 249 | 1 | 0 | 49.9 | 2.9 | TE51 |
| Career | 85 | 108 | 75 | 717 | 3 | 0 | 161.7 | 1.9 | — |
What His Career Numbers Say
1.9
Career PPG
85 games over 6 seasons
97%
Availability
Share of team games he played
2%
Top-12 weeks
Share of his games as a TE1
2.6
Weekly swing
Standard deviation, low
Bates has averaged 1.9 fantasy points per game over 85 games and 6 seasons, without a top-12 finish.
So far in 2026 he is at 1.7 per game, level with 2025. His volume has held at about 1.3 targets a game, so the output has too. His quarterback this season has been Jayden Daniels.
Career numbers describe the past; for what he is worth from here, see Bates's rest-of-season rank and trade value in Redraft Command.
Career highs
- 249Rec yards2021
- 1Rec TD2025
- 49.9Fantasy pts2021 · TE51
- 717Career rec yds2021–2026
TEs like John Bates
John Bates Stats FAQ
How many fantasy points does John Bates have in 2026?
John Bates has 5.2 PPR fantasy points in 2026 through Week 4, 1.7 per game across 3 games. That total ranks TE56 at the position. See how those numbers break down week by week.
How many receiving yards does John Bates have this season?
John Bates has 22 receiving yards in 2026 through Week 4, on 3 catches and 4 targets. His high was 13 yards, in Week 1 at the Eagles.
How many receptions does John Bates have this season?
John Bates has 3 receptions in 2026 through Week 4, 1.0 a game, on 4 targets. His high was 2 catches, in Week 1 at the Eagles.
How many targets does John Bates have this season?
John Bates has drawn 4 targets in 2026 through Week 4, 1.3 a game, and caught 75% of them. His high was 3 targets, in Week 1 at the Eagles.
How many receiving touchdowns does John Bates have this season?
John Bates has no receiving touchdowns in 2026 through Week 4.
How many receiving yards per game is John Bates averaging?
John Bates is averaging 7.3 receiving yards per game in 2026, 22 yards across 3 games.
How many yards per reception is John Bates averaging?
John Bates is averaging 7.3 yards per reception in 2026, 22 yards on 3 catches.
How many games has John Bates played in 2026?
John Bates has played 3 games in the 2026 season through Week 4.
What were John Bates's stats last season?
In 2025, John Bates caught 11 of 16 targets for 103 yards and 1 touchdown in 15 games. That was 27.3 PPR points (1.8 per game), a TE70 finish.
What are John Bates's career NFL stats?
Across 6 seasons and 85 games, John Bates has 75 catches for 717 yards and 3 touchdowns, for 161.7 PPR fantasy points (1.9 per game).
How many touchdowns does John Bates have in his career?
John Bates has 3 touchdowns in his NFL career: 0 rushing and 3 receiving, over 85 games.
How many career receiving yards does John Bates have?
John Bates has 717 career receiving yards over 6 seasons, on 75 catches.
John Bates Game Log 2026
Games played
3
FPTS/G (PPR)
1.7
Targets/g
1.3
Rec/g
1.0
Rec yds/g
7.3
Yds/rec
7.3
Across 3 games in 2026, John Bates has averaged 1.3 targets, 1.0 receptions and 1.7 PPR fantasy points per game. John Bates has finished as a top-12 TE in 0 of those weeks, and inside the top 24 in 0. The best week was Week 1 against PHI (3.3 points); the lowest was Week 2 against DAL (0.0).
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | TGT | REC | REC YDS | REC TD | YPR | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHI31st | L 22-24 | 3.3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 6.5 | TE39 |
Week 1 · PHI · L 22-24 · 3.3 pts
How the 3.3 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 2 | DAL8th | L 20-37 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE74 |
Week 2 · DAL · L 20-37 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
| 3 | SEA15th | W 33-31 | 1.9 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9.0 | TE51 |
Week 3 · SEA · W 33-31 · 1.9 pts
How the 1.9 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
Opponent rank is fantasy points allowed to TEs across 2026: 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Where His Weeks Finished
All three weeks outside the top 24. For a tight end ranked TE56 overall, the spread matters more than the average: you get a TE39 ceiling and a waiver-wire floor.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Held in check by Seattle
1/1, 9 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed right at his current season average.
Shut down by Dallas
0/0, 0 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by Philadelphia
2/3, 13 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Fantasy Points By Week
- Weekly points
- Season average (1.7)
Upcoming Matchups
View matchup — Washington Commanders vs Indianapolis Colts
View matchup — Washington Commanders vs New York Giants
View matchup — Washington Commanders vs San Francisco 49ers
View matchup — Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles
John Bates Game Log 2023
Games played
17
FPTS/G (PPR)
2.0
Targets/g
1.6
Rec/g
1.1
Rec yds/g
8.9
Yds/rec
7.9
Across 17 games in 2023, John Bates has averaged 1.6 targets, 1.1 receptions and 2.0 PPR fantasy points per game. John Bates has finished as a top-12 TE in 0 of those weeks, and inside the top 24 in 2. The best week was Week 2 against DEN (7.6 points); the lowest was Week 1 against ARI (0.0).
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | TGT | REC | REC YDS | REC TD | YPR | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARI21st | W 20-16 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE76 |
Week 1 · ARI · W 20-16 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
| 2 | DEN1st | W 35-33 | 7.6 | 5 | 3 | 46 | 0 | 15.3 | TE23 |
Week 2 · DEN · W 35-33 · 7.6 pts
How the 7.6 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 3 | BUF24th | L 3-37 | 3.2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 6.0 | TE31 |
Week 3 · BUF · L 3-37 · 3.2 pts
How the 3.2 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 4 | PHI7th | L 31-34 | 1.6 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6.0 | TE50 |
Week 4 · PHI · L 31-34 · 1.6 pts
How the 1.6 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 5 | CHI12th | L 20-40 | 3.9 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 9.5 | TE29 |
Week 5 · CHI · L 20-40 · 3.9 pts
How the 3.9 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 6 | ATL9th | W 24-16 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE77 |
Week 6 · ATL · W 24-16 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
| 7 | NYG27th | L 7-14 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE57 |
Week 7 · NYG · L 7-14 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
| 8 | PHI7th | L 31-38 | 2.7 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17.0 | TE33 |
Week 8 · PHI · L 31-38 · 2.7 pts
How the 2.7 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 9 | NE29th | W 20-17 | 0.5 | 2 | 1 | -5 | 0 | -5.0 | TE46 |
Week 9 · NE · W 20-17 · 0.5 pts
How the 0.5 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 10 | SEA11th | L 26-29 | 5.1 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 7.0 | TE23 |
Week 10 · SEA · L 26-29 · 5.1 pts
How the 5.1 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 11 | NYG27th | L 19-31 | 3.5 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 7.5 | TE31 |
Week 11 · NYG · L 19-31 · 3.5 pts
How the 3.5 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 12 | DAL26th | L 10-45 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE86 |
Week 12 · DAL · L 10-45 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
| 13 | MIA6th | L 15-45 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE67 |
Week 13 · MIA · L 15-45 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
| 14 | Did not play | ||||||||
| 15 | LAR4th | L 20-28 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE80 |
Week 15 · LAR · L 20-28 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
| 16 | NYJ10th | L 28-30 | 4.4 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 4.7 | TE37 |
Week 16 · NYJ · L 28-30 · 4.4 pts
How the 4.4 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 17 | SF16th | L 10-27 | 1.6 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6.0 | TE53 |
Week 17 · SF · L 10-27 · 1.6 pts
How the 1.6 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||
| 18 | DAL26th | L 10-38 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | TE74 |
Week 18 · DAL · L 10-38 · 0.0 pts
| |||||||||
Opponent rank is fantasy points allowed to TEs across 2023: 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Where His Weeks Finished
Two TE2 weeks and 15 busts. For a tight end who finished TE67 overall, the spread mattered more than the average: you got a TE23 ceiling and a waiver-wire floor.
Wk 1 TE76 · Wk 2 TE23 · Wk 3 TE31 · Wk 4 TE50 · Wk 5 TE29 · Wk 6 TE77 · Wk 7 TE57 · Wk 8 TE33 · Wk 9 TE46 · Wk 10 TE23 · Wk 11 TE31 · Wk 12 TE86 · Wk 13 TE67 · Wk 15 TE80 · Wk 16 TE37 · Wk 17 TE53 · Wk 18 TE74
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Shut down by Dallas
0/1, 0 yds.
Just 0.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by San Francisco
1/1, 6 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by the Jets
3/5, 14 yds.
Just 2.8 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Shut down by the Rams
0/1, 0 yds.
Just 0.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by Miami
0/1, 0 yds.
Just 0.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by Dallas
0/0, 0 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by the Giants
2/2, 15 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Steady in a loss at Seattle
3/3, 21 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Held in check by New England
1/2, -5 yds.
Just -2.5 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by Philadelphia
1/1, 17 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Shut down by the Giants
0/1, 0 yds.
Just 0.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Held in check by Atlanta
0/0, 0 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by Chicago
2/2, 19 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Shut down by Philadelphia
1/1, 6 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by Buffalo
2/2, 12 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Efficient in a road win
3/5, 46 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Held in check by Arizona
0/0, 0 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
TEs like John Bates
John Bates Game Log FAQ
How did John Bates do in his last game?
John Bates scored 1.9 PPR points in Week 3 against the Seahawks, a 33–31 win, a TE51 finish. He caught 1 of 1 target for 9 yards. View his 2026 season totals.
How many fantasy points did John Bates score in his last game?
John Bates scored 1.9 PPR fantasy points in his last game, Week 3 against the Seahawks, a TE51 finish for the week. That was right at his season average of 1.7.
How many receiving yards did John Bates have in his last game?
John Bates had 9 receiving yards on 1 catch in Week 3 against the Seahawks, from 1 target.
How many touchdowns did John Bates score in his last game?
John Bates did not score a touchdown in Week 3 against the Seahawks; his 1.9 points came from yardage and catches.
How many receptions did John Bates have in his last game?
John Bates caught 1 of 1 target for 9 yards in Week 3 against the Seahawks.
What were John Bates's stats in Week 2?
In Week 2 at the Cowboys, a 37–20 loss, John Bates caught 0 of no targets for 0 yards. That was 0.0 PPR points, a TE74 finish.
What was John Bates's best game this season?
John Bates's best 2026 game was Week 1 at the Eagles: 3.3 PPR points, a TE39 finish. He caught 2 of 3 targets for 13 yards.
What was John Bates's worst game this season?
John Bates's lowest-scoring 2026 game was Week 2 at the Cowboys: 0.0 PPR points, a TE74 finish. He caught 0 of no targets for 0 yards.
How many games has John Bates scored a touchdown in this season?
John Bates has scored a touchdown in 0 of his 3 games this season.
Can I see John Bates's game logs from previous seasons?
Yes. The season selector above the game log switches it to Bates's weekly results from any season from 2021 through 2025.
John Bates Rest-of-Season Outlook
depth TE for deep leagues only
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE69 last season at 1.8 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's TE56 at 1.7 PPR points per game, against 1.8 over 15 games last season (TE69). The role is producing the same fantasy output two years running.
Last season he ranked 50th of 81 in route participation (34.2%), 59th of 82 in target share (3.7%) and 71st of 82 in efficiency (0.60 yards per route run). Efficiency is the soft spot. Jayden Daniels is his quarterback.
He's TE2 on the depth chart, so his value depends on the players ahead of him.
The next favorable matchup is the Colts in Week 4 (7th against TEs).
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
Bates is paid to block, and the receiving numbers say exactly that. Across 2025 he ran just 171 routes on a 34.2% route share, drawing only 16 targets for a 3.7% team target share and a microscopic 0.064 WOPR. He turned that into 11 grabs for 103 yards and a score, and the efficiency was actually sharp where it counted: 0.488 EPA per play, a 62.5% success rate, and 6.18 yards after the catch per reception. The problem is the funnel, not the hands. With a 0.6 yards-per-route mark and three air yards per target, there is no path to fantasy volume.
The broader picture confirms it. He sits buried on the depth chart with no expanded role on the horizon, and projections topping out near 18 catches, 174 yards, and a couple of scores leave him as a low-end TE3 going essentially undrafted. He stays a blocking-first body to leave on the wire until something opens up.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 3.0
- Drop rate
- 6.2%
- Red-zone targets
- 2
- Route participation
- 34.2%
- YAC per reception
- 6.2
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- A soft spotThe Colts in Week 4 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.Wk 4 IND, 7thWk 5 NYG, 17thWk 6 SF, 21stWk 8 PHI, 32nd
Risk
- RoleHe's TE2 on the depth chart.
- Low target share3.7% target share, 59th of 82 TEs in 2025.
- A tough matchupThe Eagles in Week 8 (32nd) is among the stingiest defenses against TEs.
TEs like John Bates
John Bates Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is John Bates's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
John Bates projects as a depth TE for deep leagues only for the rest of the 2026 season: a bench stash in TE-premium leagues and waiver-wire material in 12-team and 10-team leagues. His efficiency (0.60 yards per route run, 71st of 82 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is John Bates's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
John Bates is the TE56 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in depth TE territory, waiver-wire material in 12-team leagues.
What is John Bates's projected role going forward?
John Bates is TE2 on the depth chart, so a bigger role needs an injury or a change ahead of him.
Will John Bates get more targets?
John Bates's targets are holding steady: 0.5 a game over his last two games against 1.3 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is John Bates's fantasy football upside?
John Bates's upside: his ceiling this season is 3.3 PPR points (Week 1, TE39) and the Colts in Week 4 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.
What could hurt John Bates's fantasy value?
John Bates's risks: his efficiency (0.60 yards per route run, 71st of 82 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring and the Eagles in Week 8 is a tough matchup. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is John Bates's remaining fantasy schedule?
About average: of his next seven games, 2 come against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 2 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.
Latest John Bates News & Updates
Bates struggles vs. Seattle
1 REC, 9 YDS (1 TGT)
1.9 fantasy points · TE51
Bates caught 1 of 1 targets for 9 yards in the 33–31 win vs. Seattle. That was 3% of the team's targets.
Season Timeline
Every update this season, grouped by week, newest first.
Week 2Sep 20L 20–37 @ DAL
Fantasy impact: Negative. Bates struggles at Dallas
0.0 fantasy points · TE74 · 1.7 below his 1.7 average
Bates caught 0 of 0 targets for 0 yards in the 37–20 loss at Dallas.
Game logWeek 1Sep 13L 22–24 @ PHI
Fantasy impact: Positive. Bates struggles at Philadelphia
3.3 fantasy points · TE39 · 1.6 above his 1.7 average
Bates caught 2 of 3 targets for 13 yards in the 24–22 loss at Philadelphia. That was 10% of the team's targets.
Game log
No updates of this type yet this season.
Commanders Teammates News
Updates on Bates's quarterback and target competition.
- Jayden Daniels: Limited in return to practice (opens in new tab)Jayden Daniels, QB. 51 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Jayden Daniels: Making trip to London (opens in new tab)Jayden Daniels, QB. 51 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Jayden Daniels: Could need surgery after season (opens in new tab)Jayden Daniels, QB. 51 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNegative
- Stefon Diggs: Four snags in victory (opens in new tab)Stefon Diggs, WR. 22 targets this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Jayden Daniels: Set to practice during Week 4 (opens in new tab)Jayden Daniels, QB. 51 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Jayden Daniels: Traveling to London in Week 4, could sit again (opens in new tab)Jayden Daniels, QB. 51 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
Around the Commanders
TEs like John Bates
John Bates News FAQ
What is the latest news on John Bates?
The latest Bates update, from September 27: Bates struggles vs. Seattle. Bates caught 1 of 1 targets for 9 yards in the 33–31 win vs. Seattle. That was 3% of the team's targets.
How does the latest John Bates news affect his fantasy value?
Negatively: he scored 1.9 fantasy points, a TE51 finish, right at his 1.7 average. See the updated fantasy outlook.
John Bates Bio
John Bates is a tight end for the Washington Commanders, where he wears No. 87. Born November 6, 1997, in Nyssa, OR, he attended Lebanon and played college football at Boise State.
The Washington Football Team selected Bates in round 4, pick 124, of the 2021 NFL Draft.
In 85 regular-season games since 2021, he has caught 75 passes for 717 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Career Timeline
1 stop with 1 team in 6 seasons. Each block's width is the time he spent there.
What happened at each stop
Washington Commanders Current team2021–present
Selected in round 4, pick 124, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was a rotational player, playing at least a quarter of the offensive snaps in 75 of 85 games.
College: Boise State
Transactions
- Re-signedRe-signed with the Washington Commanders on a three-year contract.
- SignedSigned his four-year rookie contract with the Washington Football Team.
- DraftedSelected by the Washington Football Team in round 4, pick 124.
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About John Bates: Bio FAQ
How old is John Bates?
John Bates is 28 years old. He was born on November 6, 1997. 2026 is his 6th NFL season.
How tall is John Bates?
John Bates is 6 feet 6 inches tall (6'6"), listed at 256 pounds, and plays tight end for the Washington Commanders.
How much does John Bates weigh?
John Bates weighs 256 pounds, his listed weight on the Washington Commanders roster. He is listed at 6'6".
What number does John Bates wear?
John Bates wears number 87 for the Washington Commanders. He plays tight end.
What position does John Bates play?
John Bates plays tight end for the Washington Commanders, wearing number 87. 2026 is his 6th season in the NFL.
What team does John Bates play for?
John Bates plays for the Washington Commanders as a tight end. He has been with the Commanders since 2021.
Where did John Bates go to college?
John Bates played college football at Boise State, after attending Lebanon (OR). The Washington Commanders drafted him out of Boise State in 2021.
When was John Bates drafted?
The Washington Commanders selected John Bates in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 124th overall pick, out of Boise State.
What round was John Bates drafted in?
John Bates was a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, taken 124th overall by the Washington Commanders.
What pick was John Bates in the NFL Draft?
John Bates was the 124th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, selected by the Washington Commanders in the fourth round.
Where is John Bates from?
John Bates went to high school in Oregon, at Lebanon, before playing college football at Boise State.
When is John Bates's birthday?
John Bates's birthday is November 6. He was born on November 6, 1997 and is 28 years old.
How long has John Bates been in the NFL?
2026 is John Bates's 6th NFL season; he entered the league in 2021 as a fourth-round pick of the Washington Commanders. View his career statistics.
What teams has John Bates played for?
John Bates has played for the Washington Commanders. View his career statistics.
What year did John Bates enter the NFL?
John Bates entered the NFL in 2021, when the Washington Commanders drafted him in the fourth round. 2026 is his 6th season.