ScoutIndex

WAS WAS

John Bates

TE

John Bates came into the league as a 4th-round selection (124th overall) in 2021, drafted out of Boise State. Now with WAS, he's in his 6th NFL season. Size is his calling card, grading in the 87th percentile among his peers. Across 6 NFL seasons, he has totaled 77 catches for 722 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Size

6'6", 256#

College

Boise State

Draft

Rd 4, 124th overall (2021)

Seasons

2021–2026

2023 ScoutIndex Rating · TE

Methodology
27.8

5th percentile among TEs

15 games · 28 targets

Role×0.14-0.63
Hands×0.1-1.91
Volume×0.12-0.07
Total EPA×0.22-0.99
EPA/target×0.3-1.54
Yards/target×0.12-1.31

Week 1 projection · @ PHI

Methodology
Rec1.4 (0–3)41% 1.5+
Rec1.4 (0–3)41% 1.5+
Rec1.4 (0–3)41% 1.5+
Rec1.4 (0–3)41% 1.5+
Rec1.4 (0–3)41% 1.5+
Rec1.4 (0–3)41% 1.5+
Rec yds16.3 (0–34.2)52% 15.5+
Rec yds16.3 (0–34.2)52% 15.5+
Rec yds16.3 (0–34.2)52% 15.5+
Rec yds16.3 (0–34.2)52% 15.5+
Rec yds16.3 (0–34.2)52% 15.5+
Rec yds16.3 (0–34.2)52% 15.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–1)11% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–1)11% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–1)11% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–1)11% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–1)11% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–1)11% 0.5+

Mean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.

2023 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speedno data▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among TEs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burstno data▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine TEs.

Agilityno data▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine TEs (faster = higher).

Size87▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the TE cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands33▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat47▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability11▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share31▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share24▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency7▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume63▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026WAS34.34527
2025WAS51.910111031
2024WAS38.313884
2023WAS27.81519151
2022WAS33.29141081
2021WAS6912202491

Career profile

Across 6 NFL seasons on file, John Bates has played in 63 regular-season games, all with WAS.

As a receiver he has caught 77 passes for 722 yards and 3 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2021 with WAS: 249 yards and 1 touchdown in 12 games.

Career highs (regular season)

2023 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home8
8
1.0/g
69
9/g
0
Away7
11
1.6/g
82
12/g
0
In division5
4
0.8/g
38
8/g
0
Out of division10
15
1.5/g
113
11/g
0
In wins3
4
1.3/g
41
14/g
0
In losses12
15
1.3/g
110
9/g
0
On grass8
9
1.1/g
75
9/g
0
On turf7
10
1.4/g
76
11/g
0
Indoors1
0
0.0/g
0
0/g
0
Outdoors14
19
1.4/g
151
11/g
0

2023 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1ARI—42.7
Week 2DEN3 rec, 46 yds, 0 TD49.6
Week 3BUF2 rec, 12 yds, 0 TD46.5
Week 4PHI1 rec, 6 yds, 0 TD43.5
Week 5CHI2 rec, 19 yds, 0 TD42.4
Week 7NYG—39.1
Week 8PHI1 rec, 17 yds, 0 TD53.9
Week 9NE1 rec, -5 yds, 0 TD32.9
Week 10SEA3 rec, 21 yds, 0 TD56.7
Week 11NYG2 rec, 15 yds, 0 TD50.5
Week 13MIA—36.4
Week 15LAR—39.1
Week 16NYJ3 rec, 14 yds, 0 TD37.1
Week 17SF1 rec, 6 yds, 0 TD31.3
Week 18DAL—38.2

John Bates — common questions

What position does John Bates play?
John Bates is listed as a TE.
Which teams has John Bates played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), John Bates has played for WAS (2021–2026).
Where did John Bates go to college?
John Bates played college football at Boise State.
When was John Bates drafted?
John Bates was selected in round 4, 124th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has John Bates scored?
John Bates has 3 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (3 receiving).
What is John Bates's ScoutIndex Rating?
John Bates rated 34.3 for 2026, the 10th percentile among TEs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 4, 2021

Also from Boise State