Bates caught 19 of 28 passes for 151 yards in 17 games during the 2023 season.

EDGE Analysis

The 2021 fourth-round pick has finished each of his three pro seasons in the ranges of 22-to-28 targets, 14-to-20 receptions and 500-to-519 snaps. Bates hasn't shown the pass-catching chops to make an impact in fantasy, and he now faces some uncertainty entering the final year of his rookie contract as the Commanders bring in a new coaching staff.

Bates failed to corral his lone target while playing 25 of the Commanders' 55 snaps on offense in Sunday's 45-15 loss to the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

Bates has now been held without a reception over Washington's past two contests, after having previously produced a 7-48-0 receiving line on nine targets over the preceding five games. The third-year player continues to see snap shares over 40 percent most weeks, but he looks as though he'll function mainly as a blocker on the field while Logan Thomas operates as Washington's top pass-catching tight end.

Bates went without a target across 20 snaps on offense Sunday in the Commanders' 24-16 win over the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Quarterback Sam Howell didn't look to involve his tight ends in Week 6, as the trio of Logan Thomas, Bates and Cole Turner combined for just one target across 69 offensive snaps. Thomas continues to dominate the playing time among the position group, and so long as he's healthy, Bates will be in store for a minor role. In the four games that Thomas has played without exiting early due to injury, Bates has drawn just three total targets.

Bates caught both his targets for 19 yards in Thursday's 40-20 loss to Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

Bates mostly works as a blocker even when starting tight end Logan Thomas misses time, with Cole Turner being the replacement on passing downs. Thomas played in this one and led the team with a 9-77-1 receiving line, as Sam Howell continues to pepper his TEs with short targets over the middle and in the flats.

Bates caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

Operating as the Commanders' No. 2 tight end, Bates was not a big part of the game plan Sunday. The veteran played just 27 of Washington's 78 offensive snaps, far behind starter Logan Thomas who returned from a concussion and played 62 snaps in the contest. With Thomas healthy, Bates should remain far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 5 matchup with the Bears.

Bates caught both of his targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 37-3 loss to Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Bates took 57 percent of snaps on offense, the same as Cole Turner, who finished with a 3-35-0 receiving line on a team-high seven targets. There's not much fantasy appeal with Bates for Week 4 at Philadelphia, as he'll be the blocking-focused TE in a timeshare even if Logan Thomas (concussion) misses another game.

Bates caught three of five targets for a career-high 46 yards in Sunday's 35-33 win over the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

Bates and Cole Turner shared TE snaps after Logan Thomas left with a concussion late in the second quarter. Turner is known more as a pass catcher and Bates as a blocker, but it was the latter who surprisingly drew five targets on 18 routes and finished with a career high for receiving yards. Neither Bates nor Turner will make for a trustworthy fantasy option if Thomas misses Week 3 against the Bills.

Bates finished with one target and no receptions in Monday's preseason win over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

With Logan Thomas (calf) sidelined, Cole Turner worked as the primary tight end on the first-team offense, while Bates played a few snaps and mostly blocked. There's not much hope for significant receiving production, but Bates at least figures to have a blocking role for the third straight year since Washington made him a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Bates finished the 2022 season with 14 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets in 16 games.

EDGE Analysis

The 2021 fourth-round pick mostly served as a blocker, playing no fewer than 20 offensive snaps and no more than 45 in his 16 appearances. Bates had 249 receiving yards as a rookie and could perhaps have a larger role in 2023, but he'll likely always be used as a blocker first and foremost, given his 6-6, 259-pound frame and lack of speed.

Bates was not targeted in Sunday's 20-20 tie against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Bates played 45 of the team's offensive snaps, but he failed to tally any stats. It was just the third time in 12 contests the second-year pro failed to see a target, and the sixth time he's gone without a reception. After a Week 14 bye, Bates will work to get on the stat sheet Week 15 in a rematch with the Giants.