Who Should I Start? John Bates or Travis Vokolek

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.

Monday, March 24, 8:30 PM

Exclusive-rights free-agent tight end Travis Vokolek officially signed his one-year tender offer on Monday to return to the Arizona Cardinals. It was merely a formality, as his lone option was to sign and remain with Arizona after they extended him a tender earlier this month. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent will now return in 2025 for his third season with the team. Vokolek has only appeared in three games with the Cardinals in his two seasons in the NFL and has yet to be targeted or catch a pass on offense. The Nebraska alumni will merely be competing for a roster spot in training camp this summer as a special-teamer and for tight end depth. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder originally joined the Cardinals in 2023 after being signed off the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad that December. On offense, Vokolek is a blocking-first tight end.