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Which player is the Commanders' best-kept secret?

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We know the stars for every team. The players receiving all of the headlines and often the opposition’s attention. However, every NFL teams have players who can play but the casual fan may not know.

Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently picked the best-kept secret from every NFL team.

Who is that player for the Washington Commanders?

For Moton, he chooses second-year tight end John Bates.

New Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz may have an underrated offensive weapon in John Bates, who filled in for tight end Logan Thomas in the starting lineup last year.

In 2021, Thomas only suited up for six games, recording 18 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Bates opened eight out of 17 outings with the first unit and hauled in 20 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown.

While Bates accumulated low-scale receiving numbers, he showed the ability to contribute in the passing game as a rookie who didn’t log more than 22 catches in a single term on the collegiate level.

The Commanders could tap into Bates’ potential in a pass-catching role as Thomas goes into his age-31 term following an injury-riddled campaign, which may usher in a changing of the guard at the position.

Bates proved to be a nice find last season. Washington was without Thomas for most of the season. The starting tight end spent several weeks on injured reserve with a hamstring injury early in the season. Shortly after he returned, he suffered a torn ACL on a cheap shot during a win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Bates slid right into the starting lineup and handled himself well. A strong blocker, Bates also proved to be a valuable weapon in the passing game. While he’s not an elite athlete, Bates showed solid athleticism and an ability to run over defenders late in the season. Once Thomas is healthy, he’s the starter, but Bates proved last year he has a role on the team and is a quality building block for the future.

Carson Wentz loves throwing to big tight ends, which could make Bates an intriguing player for Washington in 2022 — even when Thomas returns.