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Sep 1, 2026
Bates does the unglamorous work that lets the explosive pieces breathe. He can set an edge, play through contact and handle the in-line assignments that free Okonkwo to hunt matchups. The hamstring is worth monitoring, but his role is defined.
Strengths: In-line blocking, physicality at the edge, assignment dependability, and long familiarity with Washington's environment.
Weaknesses: Limited receiving production caps his fantasy-style ceiling, while the recent hamstring absence is the short-term availability concern.
