Tag: John Bates

Washington signs veteran tight end Ricky Seals-Jones

The Washington Football Team signed veteran tight end Ricky Seals-Jones on Tuesday as they continue to add depth to the tight end room,

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The Washington Football Team signed veteran tight end Ricky Seals-Jones on Tuesday as they continue to add depth to the tight end room, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Seals-Jones, 26, is entering his fifth NFL season in 2021. He spent the 2020 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he appeared in just two games. Seals-Jones is the second former Kansas City tight end to sign with Washington in recent weeks, joining Deon Yelder.

Washington now has starting tight end Logan Thomas, international free-agent signing Sammis Reyes, fourth-round pick John Bates, Yelder, Seals-Jones, Temarrick Hemmingway and Tyrone Swoopes on the offseason roster.

Entering the offseason, depth at tight end was a priority. However, Washington never felt like it needed a high-end option as the team likes Thomas as the starter.

Clearly, head coach Ron Rivera feels comfortable bringing in several veteran options to compete with younger players like Bates and Reyes to give the WFT depth behind Thomas.

Seals-Jones entered the league in 2017 with the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent two seasons. He played for the Cleveland Browns in 2019 before signing with the Chiefs in 2020. His best season came in 2018 when he caught 34 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown. He scored four touchdowns with Cleveland in 2019.

 

Washington releases tight end Marcus Baugh

When the Washington Football Team signed international free agent tight end Sammis Reyes before the 2021 NFL draft

When the Washington Football Team signed international free agent tight end Sammis Reyes before the 2021 NFL draft and selected Boise State tight end John Bates in the fourth round of the draft, there was going to be a subsequent move at the position.

On Monday, that move was made when Washington released 26-year-old tight end Marcus Baugh.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Baugh signed with Washington in March 2020. He initially made the WFT’s opening roster before being released on Oct. 22. Washington re-signed him just two days later to the team’s practice squad. Baugh was called back up to the active roster on Dec. 9, where he would finish the season.

Washington has a solid starter at tight end in Logan Thomas. In addition to bringing in Reyes and Bates, Washington also signed veteran tight end Deon Yelder last week. That gives the Football Team seven tight ends on the 90-man offseason roster.

Baugh, who played collegiately at Ohio State, had one catch for two yards in 2020 — the first catch of his NFL career.

Analysis, grade for Washington’s selection of John Bates in 4th round

The Washington Football Team selected Boise State tight end John Bates in the fourth round, No. 124 overall, in the 2021 NFL draft. 

The Washington Football Team selected Boise State tight end John Bates in the fourth round, No. 124 overall, in the 2021 NFL draft.

Heading into the NFL draft, the WFT needed tight end depth. Washington has starter Logan Thomas on the roster and recently signed international free agent Sammis Reyes. In addition, Marcus Baugh and Temarrick Hemingway are also on the roster from 2020.

Not exactly a group that inspires a ton of hope. Reyes could prove to be a find, but we don’t know yet as he has never played a snap. Baugh and Hemingway are strictly depth guys.

Bates wasn’t overly productive at Boise State. Was it his fault or the offense just wasn’t tight end-friendly? Also, Bates has just two career touchdowns.

Bates won’t be required to come in and start. He is a solid blocker with soft hands. If he plays, he shouldn’t embarrass himself. Plus, he gives offensive coordinator Scott Turner some flexibility as his presence on the field doesn’t indicate pass or run. That was an issue in the past for Washington.

It’s hard to crush this pick because tight ends coach Pete Hoener wanted Thomas last year, which proved to be a steal. For Washington, it hopes the same thing happens with Bates. That helps Washington’s grade here, despite Miami’s Brevin Jordan still being on the board.

Grade: C+

Washington selects Boise State tight end John Bates

The Washington Football Team selected Boise State tight end, John Bates, with the No. 124 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

The Washington Football Team selected Boise State tight end, John Bates, with the No. 124 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Bates brings good size to the position. He is best described as a functional blocker with good hands and solid athleticism.