Boise State tight end John Bates Moves on to 2021 NFL Draft

The 2021 NFL Draft gains another seasoned tight end

Boise State senior tight end John Bates announced yesterday his intentions to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. This comes to not much surprise due to the fact he was a fifth-year senior and Boise State is in the process of hiring a new coaching staff. He also has already received his degree and is engaged, so personally, it makes sense for him to jump to start getting paid for his work on the field.

Although he is a senior, he still could have come back to play in 2021 because of the NCAA freezing eligibility for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bates was slowed down by injuries this Fall plus his team had multiple game cancellations and opted out, so his stats are not popping off the screen. In 2020 he finished with 12 receptions, 117 receiving yards, and zero touchdowns.

His best season as a Bronco was last year where helped his team win the Mountain West title and posted 273 receiving yards and one touchdown. Bates is a giant of a player at 6-foot-6 and 256 and looks the part of a future NFL tight end but he needs a great pro day and combine (if they happen this year).  My biggest concern is his speed, is he Travis Kelce or Zach Ertz? No, but can he get downfield and separate from defenders with elite speed?

A positive to Bates is his blocking skills. I have watched several Boise State games the last couple years with Bates in the line up and the Broncos have had a thousand yard rusher year in and year out. They wouldn’t trot out Bates if he couldn’t block in the run game which they rely heavily on each season.

In 2018 he blocked for current Minnesota Viking tailback Alexander Mattison who ended up being a third round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Based on his frame and blocking ability, I could see him being a day three pick based on his testing and pre-draft process. If he is not drafted, do not be surprised to see him at the top of the list of priority free agents especially at tight end.