Who Should I Start? John Bates or Charlie Kolar


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
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Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

John Bates News

John Bates Not a Fantasy Option in Week 17

Wednesday, December 24, 10:23 AM

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates was outsnapped 37 to 27 by second-year tight end Ben Sinnott in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bates has served as Washington's No. 2 TE for most of the season, primarily as a blocker. He posted his highest route share (50%) of the season in Week 15 with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season, but that mark cratered in Week 16, falling to just 16%, his lowest since Week 2. Sinnott profiles as the better receiving option and is seeing his role increase in that area. He jumped to a season-high 56% route share last week. Bates seems to be trending back toward his typical role as the top blocking tight end and shouldn't be considered a fantasy option on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys, especially considering Washington's starting QB is likely to be Josh Johnson with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) injured.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Charlie Kolar News

Charlie Kolar Signs Three-Year Deal with Chargers

Monday, March 9, 5:28 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free agent tight end Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million deal that includes $17 million guaranteed, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. While Pelissero notes that this is the largest deal ever for a blocking tight end, we wouldn't be surprised to see Kolar step into more of a receiving role in Los Angeles. He showed flashes of pass-catching potential in Baltimore -- as much as he could while buried in the No. 3 tight end role behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. He had a career-high 10 catches for 142 yards in 2025, headlined by a two-game touchdown streak during the first half of the season. With the Bolts, he'll presumably operate as the No. 2 tight end behind Oronde Gadsden. Despite the new contract and bump up the depth chart, Kolar likely still faces an uphill battle to fantasy relevance in a Mike McDaniel system that hasn't leaned super heavily on its No. 2 tight end in the past.


John Bates vs. Charlie Kolar

Still trying to decide between Bates and Kolar? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that John Bates is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Charlie Kolar is projected to score 0.0 points.