Yahoo Sports NFL on John Bates

ArticleDo Chig Okonkwo, Antonio Williams & Treylon Burks offer enough receiving help f...Captured August 1, 2026
Read the full article

From the article

As helpful as John Bates' blocking was...with Okonkwo's added flavor, the returning supplementary contributors at tight end have the chance to surge in settling into their own niches.

STACKED’s take

NeutralRole

Bates' role clarifies with Okonkwo taking over as primary receiving TE.

With Chig Okonkwo's arrival, John Bates has the chance to settle into a clearer role within the tight end depth chart. The source previously noted his blocking was helpful but he was unable to fill the pass-catching vacuum left by Zach Ertz's injury.

John Bates headshotJohn BatesTE · WASPlayer page — value, ADP, projections, and every insight

More on John Bates and from Yahoo Sports NFL