John Bates 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Position: Tight End
Height: 6’5.3
Weight: 250 lbs
School: Boise State University
Pro Day Stats
Hands: 09 5/8
Arm: 32 1/2
Wingspan: 79 1/4
40-Yard Dash: 4.84
20-Yard Dash: 2.83
10-Yard Dash:1.71
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 19
Vertical Jump: 31 1/2
Broad Jump: 10’00
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.35
3-Cone Drill: 6.85
John Bates 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Overview
Born in Lebanon, Oregan, Bates attended Lebanon High School where he competed in Football, Basketball, and Track. As a junior, He received a two-time Oregon 5A selection as a Second-Team in junior and a first-team in senior. Additionally, he was named to the Oregon 3A Second-Team in his sophomore year and to the Oregonian’s All-State Second-Team as a senior. Bates received All-Mid Willamette Valley Conference Honors as a wide receiver, defensive back, and punter. He also was nominated to the All-Eastern Oregan League First-Team as a defensive back and the Secon-Team as a wide receiver.
In basketball, Bates was nominated to the All-EOL First-Team in his sophomore year and received an All-MWVL honorable mention as a junior. In track and field, Bates was a three-time qualifier for the Oregon State Track Championships, where he won titles in 3A and 5A, the 110-meter hurdles, and javelin. He was named the all-level Male Athlete of the Meet at state in his junior year, and he finished fourth in the long jump and second in the triple jump. Bates committed to Boise State University.
Bates was redshirted his first season. The following year, Bates completed three receptions of 34 yards. In his sophomore season. Bates had 10 receptions of 155 yards with one touchdown and had one solo defensive tackle. During his junior year, Bates had 22 receptions of 273 yards with one touchdown. Additionally, he had two solo defensive tackles. In his senior season, Bates completed 12 receptions of 117 yards.
Bates was named to the John Mackey Preseason Award Watch List in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He also received an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention in his junior year, as well as setting a career-high in receptions and receiving yards against Marshall.
Strengths
- Good size and build;
- Good blocker with active hands;
- Reliable hands for making receptions;
- Tough and physical;
- He has over 500 special team plays in his college career.
Weaknesses
- Lack of production at the college level;
- Lacks a second gear;
- Needs to improve his lateral agility;
- Lacks speed to separate from defenders;
- Needs better positioning awareness to make catches.
Player Comparison: Tyler Conklin
Teams With Need At Position: Arizona Cardinals, San Fransisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills
Draft Projection: Fifth Round
Bottom Line on John Bates
Bates’ physical attributes and size will be attractive to teams in the later rounds; however, his lack of production might be of some concern. His upside is limited, but he has the ability to be a blocking tight end in the NFL and as a suitable backup who can fill in every now and then for injuries. Bates will be a good find for teams willing to properly develop him and put him in the right positions for success.
[pickup_prop id=”6603″]
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
