John Bates headshot

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.

  1. Week 1, Loss
    ,
    at PHI
    ,
    3.3
    ,
    TE39
  2. Week 2, Loss
    ,
    at DAL
    ,
    0.0
    ,
    TE74
  3. Week 3, Win
    ,
    vs SEA
    ,
    1.9
    ,
    TE51
  4. Up next.
    Week 4, Oct 4
    ,
    vs IND
    ,
    7th pts allowed to TEs
    ,
    Favorable
    Colts vs. TEs
  5. Week 5, Oct 11
    ,
    vs NYG
    ,
    17th pts allowed to TEs
    ,
    Neutral
    Giants vs. TEs
  6. Week 6, Oct 19
    ,
    at SF
    ,
    21st pts allowed to TEs
    ,
    Neutral
    49ers vs. TEs
  7. 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

WkOppResultFPTSFinish
1@ EaglesL 22–243.3TE39
2@ CowboysL 20–370.0TE74
3vs SeahawksW 33–311.9TE51
Total1–25.2TE56
Full game log with receiving splits

Career Fantasy Stats by Season

SeasonTeamGPTgtRecRec ydsRec TDFPTSPPGFinish
2026WAS3432205.21.7—
2025WAS151611103127.31.8TE70
2024WAS1713884014.40.8TE78
2023WAS172819151034.12.0TE59
2022WAS162214108130.81.9TE62
Career85108757173161.71.9
All 6 seasons and advanced stats

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

See these stats game by game

Advanced Receiving Stats

Bates is an intermediate target (3.6 yards per target last season), with a 4.3% target share this season.

Stat2026 Thru Wk 42025 9 games
Efficiency
Yards per target5.5—6.4—
Fantasy points per target0.55—0.64—
Yards per route run——0.55—
YAC per reception7.3—5.9—
Catch rate75.0%—64.3%—
Usage
Target share4.3%—3.4%—
Snap share44.7%—50.9%—
Air-yards share0.9%—1.3%—
Red-zone targets1—1—
Route participation——33.8%—
Style
Average depth of target2.0—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

20252026, in progressDashed line: career average

1.7

Fantasy PPG

1.3

Targets/g

7

Rec yds/g

John Bates career stats by season

SeasonGPTgtRecRec ydsRec TDRush ydsFPTSPPGFinish
2026to date34322005.21.7—
20251516111031027.31.8TE70
202417138840014.40.8TE78
20231728191510034.12.0TE59
20221622141081030.81.9TE62
20211725202491049.92.9TE51
Career851087571730161.71.9—

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.

Stats are official NFL regular-season data processed by StatChasers. Fantasy points use full PPR scoring: 1 point per reception, 1 per 25 passing yards, 4 per passing TD, −1 per interception, 1 per 10 rushing or receiving yards and 6 per rushing or receiving TD. Two-point conversions and lost fumbles count as Sleeper scores them.

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).

WkOppResultFPTSTGTRECREC YDSREC TDYPRFinish
1PHI31stL 22-243.3321306.5TE39

Week 1 · PHI · L 22-24 · 3.3 pts

Weekly finish
TE39 · Bust week
Vs. season average
+1.6 pts
Matchup
PHI ranked 31st in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
34
Target share
1030.0%

How the 3.3 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions2 rec+2.0
  • Receiving yards13 yds+1.3
2DAL8thL 20-370.00000—TE74

Week 2 · DAL · L 20-37 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE74 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.7 pts
Matchup
DAL ranked 8th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
22
3SEA15thW 33-311.911909.0TE51

Week 3 · SEA · W 33-31 · 1.9 pts

Weekly finish
TE51 · Bust week
Vs. season average
+0.2 pts
Matchup
SEA ranked 15th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
37
Target share
330.0%

How the 1.9 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions1 rec+1.0
  • Receiving yards9 yds+0.9

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.

TE1 range (top 12)TE2 range (13–24)Bench range (25+)Also: Wk 3 (TE51)

Game-by-Game Breakdown

Week 3, Sep 27
vs Seahawks
W 33–31

Held in check by Seattle

1/1, 9 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed right at his current season average.

1.9TE51
Week 2, Sep 20
@ Cowboys
L 20–37

Shut down by Dallas

0/0, 0 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE74
Week 1, Sep 13
@ Eagles
L 22–24

Shut down by Philadelphia

2/3, 13 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.

3.3TE39

Fantasy Points By Week

30W1W3Week 1 vs PHI: 3.3 ptsWeek 2 vs DAL: 0.0 ptsWeek 3 vs SEA: 1.9 pts
  • Weekly points
  • Season average (1.7)

Upcoming Matchups

Matchup rank is fantasy points allowed to TEs, in PPR: 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest. Measured through Week 4.

John Bates Game Log 2025

Games played

15

FPTS/G (PPR)

1.8

Targets/g

1.1

Rec/g

0.7

Rec yds/g

6.9

Yds/rec

9.4

Across 15 games in 2025, John Bates has averaged 1.1 targets, 0.7 receptions and 1.8 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 1. The best week was Week 18 against PHI (9.3 points); the lowest was Week 1 against NYG (0.0).

WkOppResultFPTSTGTRECREC YDSREC TDYPRFinish
1NYG28thW 21-60.00000—TE71

Week 1 · NYG · W 21-6 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE71 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.8 pts
Matchup
NYG ranked 28th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
37
2GB24thL 18-270.00000—TE68

Week 2 · GB · L 18-27 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE68 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.8 pts
Matchup
GB ranked 24th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
9
3Did not play
4Did not play
5LAC26thW 27-101.911909.0TE48

Week 5 · LAC · W 27-10 · 1.9 pts

Weekly finish
TE48 · Bust week
Vs. season average
+0.1 pts
Matchup
LAC ranked 26th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
30
Target share
290.0%

How the 1.9 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions1 rec+1.0
  • Receiving yards9 yds+0.9
6CHI15thL 24-250.00000—TE71

Week 6 · CHI · L 24-25 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE71 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.8 pts
Matchup
CHI ranked 15th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
30
7DAL20thL 22-441.521505.0TE47

Week 7 · DAL · L 22-44 · 1.5 pts

Weekly finish
TE47 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-0.3 pts
Matchup
DAL ranked 20th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
29
Target share
530.0%

How the 1.5 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions1 rec+1.0
  • Receiving yards5 yds+0.5
8KC23rdL 7-283.21122022.0TE35

Week 8 · KC · L 7-28 · 3.2 pts

Weekly finish
TE35 · TE3 week
Vs. season average
+1.4 pts
Matchup
KC ranked 23rd in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
29
Target share
260.0%

How the 3.2 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions1 rec+1.0
  • Receiving yards22 yds+2.2
9SEA10thL 14-384.04220010.0TE37

Week 9 · SEA · L 14-38 · 4.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE37 · Bust week
Vs. season average
+2.2 pts
Matchup
SEA ranked 10th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
32
Target share
1430.0%

How the 4.0 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions2 rec+2.0
  • Receiving yards20 yds+2.0
10DET16thL 22-441.621606.0TE47

Week 10 · DET · L 22-44 · 1.6 pts

Weekly finish
TE47 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-0.2 pts
Matchup
DET ranked 16th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
38
Target share
870.0%

How the 1.6 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions1 rec+1.0
  • Receiving yards6 yds+0.6
11MIA5thL 13-160.00000—TE65

Week 11 · MIA · L 13-16 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE65 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.8 pts
Matchup
MIA ranked 5th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
38
12Bye week
13DEN17thL 26-272.922904.5TE41

Week 13 · DEN · L 26-27 · 2.9 pts

Weekly finish
TE41 · Bust week
Vs. season average
+1.1 pts
Matchup
DEN ranked 17th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
46
Target share
500.0%

How the 2.9 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions2 rec+2.0
  • Receiving yards9 yds+0.9
14MIN27thL 0-310.00000—TE70

Week 14 · MIN · L 0-31 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE70 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.8 pts
Matchup
MIN ranked 27th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
32
15NYG28thW 29-212.91119019.0TE45

Week 15 · NYG · W 29-21 · 2.9 pts

Weekly finish
TE45 · Bust week
Vs. season average
+1.1 pts
Matchup
NYG ranked 28th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
42
Target share
380.0%

How the 2.9 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions1 rec+1.0
  • Receiving yards19 yds+1.9
16PHI31stL 18-290.01000—TE74

Week 16 · PHI · L 18-29 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE74 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.8 pts
Matchup
PHI ranked 31st in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
27
Target share
270.0%
17DAL20thL 23-300.00000—TE73

Week 17 · DAL · L 23-30 · 0.0 pts

Weekly finish
TE73 · Bust week
Vs. season average
-1.8 pts
Matchup
DAL ranked 20th in points allowed to TE that season
Offensive snaps
19
18PHI31stW 24-179.3221316.5TE15

Week 18 · PHI · W 24-17 · 9.3 pts

Weekly finish
TE15 · TE2 week
Vs. season average
+7.5 pts
Matchup
PHI ranked 31st in points allowed to TE that season
Target share
800.0%

How the 9.3 points scored (PPR)

  • Receptions2 rec+2.0
  • Receiving yards13 yds+1.3
  • Receiving TD1 TD+6.0

Opponent rank is fantasy points allowed to TEs across 2025: 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.

Where His Weeks Finished

One TE2 week and 14 busts. For a tight end who finished TE72 overall, the spread mattered more than the average: you got a TE15 ceiling and a waiver-wire floor.

TE1 range (top 12)TE2 range (13–24)Bench range (25+)

Wk 1 TE71 · Wk 2 TE68 · Wk 5 TE48 · Wk 6 TE71 · Wk 7 TE47 · Wk 8 TE35 · Wk 9 TE37 · Wk 10 TE47 · Wk 11 TE65 · Wk 13 TE41 · Wk 14 TE70 · Wk 15 TE45 · Wk 16 TE74 · Wk 17 TE73 · Wk 18 TE15

Game-by-Game Breakdown

Week 18, Jan 4
@ Eagles
W 24–17

Steady in a win at Philadelphia

2/2, 13 yds, 1 TD.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.

9.3TE15
Week 17, Dec 25
vs Cowboys
L 23–30

Shut down by Dallas

0/0, 0 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE73
Week 16, Dec 20
vs Eagles
L 18–29

Shut down by Philadelphia

0/1, 0 yds.

Just 0.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE74
Week 15, Dec 14
@ Giants
W 29–21

Held in check by the Giants

1/1, 19 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.

2.9TE45
Week 14, Dec 7
@ Vikings
L 0–31

Shut down by Minnesota

0/0, 0 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE70
Week 13, Nov 30
vs Broncos
L 26–27

Shut down by Denver

2/2, 9 yds.

Just 4.5 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.

2.9TE41
Week 11, Nov 16
@ Dolphins
L 13–16

Shut down by Miami

0/0, 0 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE65
Week 10, Nov 9
vs Lions
L 22–44

Shut down by Detroit

1/2, 6 yds.

Just 3.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

1.6TE47
Week 9, Nov 2
vs Seahawks
L 14–38

Shut down by Seattle

2/4, 20 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.

4.0TE37
Week 8, Oct 27
@ Chiefs
L 7–28

Shut down by Kansas City

1/1, 22 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.

3.2TE35
Week 7, Oct 19
@ Cowboys
L 22–44

Shut down by Dallas

1/2, 5 yds.

Just 2.5 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

1.5TE47
Week 6, Oct 13
vs Bears
L 24–25

Shut down by Chicago

0/0, 0 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE71
Week 5, Oct 5
@ Chargers
W 27–10

Held in check by the Chargers

1/1, 9 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed right at his season average.

1.9TE48
Week 2, Sep 11
@ Packers
L 18–27

Shut down by Green Bay

0/0, 0 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE68
Week 1, Sep 7
vs Giants
W 21–6

Held in check by the Giants

0/0, 0 yds.

A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.

0.0TE71

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

TE56 through Week 4 · 1.7 PPG

TE-premiumBench stash
12-teamWaiver wire
10-teamWaiver wire

Preseason Projection vs. Reality

He finished TE69 last season at 1.8 points per game.

2025 final
TE69
1.8 PPG over 15 games
Through Week 4
TE56
1.7 PPG over 3 games
Rest of season
Live rank
Updated after every 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

Rotational
34.2%route participation
1st50th of 8181st

Target share

Low
3.7%target share
1st59th of 8282nd

Efficiency

Weak
0.60yards per route run
1st71st of 8282nd
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.
Weighing Bates against another tight end on your roster?Compare them in Redraft Command

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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

Season Timeline

Every update this season, grouped by week, newest first.

  1. 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 log
  2. Week 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

Commanders Teammates News

Updates on Bates's quarterback and target competition.

Around the Commanders

All Washington Commanders news

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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.

Commanders2021–now Washington Commanders
717rec yds, 75 rec, 3 TD · 85 games
Regular-season receiving stats with each team. 2026 through Week 3.

What happened at each stop

  1. 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.

  2. College: Boise State

6 seasons of history, one question: is he worth a roster spot now?Check his rest-of-season value in Redraft Command

Transactions

  1. Re-signedRe-signed with the Washington Commanders on a three-year contract.
  2. SignedSigned his four-year rookie contract with the Washington Football Team.
  3. DraftedSelected by the Washington Football Team in round 4, pick 124.

TEs like John Bates

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.