NFL Draft 2021: Top 7 LA Rams prospects from MWC

Boise State TE

The fifth prospect we want to take a look at from the Mountain West Conference is the rambling tight end from Boise State named John Bates (5.50-grade per NFL.com). That grade places him among the priority signings of the undrafted free agent players. But the Draft Network sees him as a seventh-round prospect, and the good folks at PFF.com have him a sound fifth-round, sixth-round prospect.

He is a 6-foot-5 250-pound behemoth who can catch the ball and block. And from the Boise State offensive set, he has seen it all, done it all. In 23 games, he has caught 47 passes and racked up 579 receiving yards, he also added two touchdowns.  His true flash occurred with a very impressive Senior Bowl outing, leading many to consider him a sleeper prospect at the tight end position.

He ran a 4.8-second 40-yard dash time. But the key for the LA Rams’ interest is his ability to catch a pass and show up on the football field as a huge target. Hey, he is a big target, and it just so happens that the incoming quarterback loves to throw to big targets.

The class of 2021 is notoriously NOT thick with talented tight ends, and John Bates is certainly going to attract interest, particularly playing at a shallow position for this draft class. He could hear his name called as quickly as round five. But if the draft shapes up as expected, he should be coming off the board on or about round seven. He’s got plenty of talent, and if he lands with the Rams, he will likely be that player on the practice squad redshirted until the 2022 season.