Who Should I Start? Pharaoh Brown or John Bates

Friday, March 14, 3:30 PM

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Miami Dolphins have reached an agreement with former Seattle Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown on a one-year contract. The financial terms have not been disclosed. The 30-year-old will join his sixth NFL team since signing with the Las Vegas (Oakland) Raiders in 2016 as an undrafted free agent. Brown was the third-leading snap-getter for the Seahawks in 2024 (264), though it only amounted to eight receptions and 65 scoreless yards across 15 games. The Oregon product presents as a depth piece for Miami, as he'll likely compete for playing time with fellow tight end Julian Hill behind Jonnu Smith, who led the team in receptions a season ago.

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.