Continuing the series of deep dynasty names-to-know (see the previous installment on Nathan Palmer), brings the name Phil Bates into the discussion. He saw some playing time with the Seattle Seahawks as some may remember. This season he was released by Seattle and signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad.
Phil Bates: Ohio Product
Even as a senior at Ohio Unversity, Phil Bates was listed as a quarterback on many depth charts, threw five passes that season (for 142 yards and two scores I might add), and was sixth on the team in receptions behind notably LaVon Brazill.
Phil Bates: The Prospect
On Bates’ prospect profile wide receiver was listed as his primary position. However, quarterback, H-back, and the high school-like ‘athlete’ were listed as secondary options. In short, Bates was a project at any position, but he was an NFL-caliber athlete at a minimum. Here is a look at that athleticism:
Overall Athleticism Score in the Projection Model: 74
That mark in the 2012 wide receiver class was better than all but four of the drafted options (Stephen Hill, Greg Childs, DeVier Posey, and Junior Hemingway), who have stuck around through three years. The best parts of Phil Bates’ profile include a 40.5″ vertical, 10’8″ broad jump and 6.87 three-cone time. At 6’1″ and 200, Bates was average thickness and ran a sub-4.50 40 time, which was also passable.
Comparable Prospects
Looking at only physical traits, here is how Phil Bates stacks up:
- Steve Smith (NYG version)
- Brooks Foster
- Keenan Burton
- Brian Tyms
- DeVier Posey
- Phil Bates
- Ryan Whalen
- Rashaun Woods
- Nate Burleson
- Reggie Wayne
- Robert Ferguson
Only Brian Tyms and Phil Bates were undrafted from this list and both are still in the league. Smith, Burleson, and Wayne are the three that emerged into fantasy starters.
The biggest challenge for Bates is the lack of college production. Bates was switching positions and the learning curve to the NFL level is high. One thing we do know is that Bates can hang athletically – he has for three years now.
The Browns depth chart is wide open outside of Josh Gordon (sorry, Andrew Hawkins), so Bates has potential there or, like Charles Johnson now in Minnesota, elsewhere. When going deep in dynasty, say 30 offensive roster spots or more, Phil Bates meets the athletic threshold to stash into the offseason. Like any long-shot, know the odds of Bates emerging to a legitimate role floating in the 3-6% range.
