ATL Jessie Bates III
NFL safety. Position: S. Team: ATL.
Quick Facts
- Position: Safety
- Team: ATL (Atlanta Falcons)
- Experience: Veteran
2026 Outlook
ESPN executive poll (July 16): Ranked as the #5 safety in the NFL by ESPN's poll of coaches and executives. Bates has established himself as an elite ball hawk, with 27 interceptions in eight seasons, including 13 picks in just three years with Atlanta. Remarkably, he has returned one interception for a TD in each of his three seasons with the Falcons, totaling 384 return yards (14.2 yards per pick average). His instincts and ball skills are enabling him to age well in the position, with one NFL coordinator noting: "He's just got a knack for being around the ball." (per Falcons Recap: Jalon Walker's trade value, ESPN praises Jessie Bates)
Jessie Bates III is the Falcons' highest-paid defender, carrying a $24.8M salary cap hit in 2026. He pairs with cornerback A.J. Terrell to anchor the secondary on a unit that recorded a franchise-record 57 sacks in 2025. The defensive investment reflects Atlanta's commitment to pass coverage and run-stopping at the veteran level, with Bates expected to continue as a lead voice in the safety rotation (per 10 highest Falcons salary cap hits on defense in 2026).
August 6 trade speculation: ESPN's trade analysis proposes sending Bates to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick plus Atlanta's 2028 sixth-round pick. The proposal highlights Bates' three-year history with Falcons defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, now the 49ers head coach, as well as San Francisco's need for secondary depth behind injury-prone Malik Mustapha. Any trade would require Atlanta's approval, but the fit is theoretically appealing for the 49ers. For Bates' 2026 outlook, a trade remains speculative at this point (per 49ers Urged to Trade for Jessie Bates).
Role / Depth Chart
Starting safety; primary voice in secondary coverage.
Recent News
- 2026-07-17 — Jessie Bates ranked among NFL's top safeties for 2026 season (Jessie Bates ranked among NFL's top safeties for 2026 season)
- 2026-04-20 — NFL trade predictions: A.J. Brown tops NFL draft trade candidates (NFL trade predictions: A.J. Brown tops NFL draft trade candidates)
- 2026-06-11 — Projecting the Falcons’ 53-Man Roster & Depth Chart After OTAs (Projecting the Falcons’ 53-Man Roster & Depth Chart After OTAs)
- 2026-05-16 — One NFL trade target for every team after the draft and deep in the offseason (One NFL trade target for every team after the draft and deep in the offseason)
- 2026-06-18 — Final NFL offseason moves for 32 teams: Trades, signings, more (Final NFL offseason moves for 32 teams: Trades, signings, more)
- 2026-03-14 — NFL Mock Draft 2026: Full 3-round projection after early free agency, wild trades (NFL Mock Draft 2026: Full 3-round projection after early free agency, wild trades)
- 2026-06-16 — Breaking down every NFL team's offseason spending and most expensive free agent (Breaking down every NFL team's offseason spending and most expensive free agent)
- 2026-03-16 — 2026 NFL offseason team grades: Rams earn high mark, while Broncos, Jaguars confuse (2026 NFL offseason team grades: Rams earn high mark, while Broncos, Jaguars confuse)
- 2026-05-21 — 2026 NFL offseason: AFC teams' best and worst deals, picks (2026 NFL offseason: AFC teams' best and worst deals, picks)
- 2026-06-11 — 2026 NFL contracts: Next to get a big deal at every position (2026 NFL contracts: Next to get a big deal at every position)
- 2026-04-27 — Falcons release veteran punter Trenton Gill from roster (Falcons release veteran punter Trenton Gill from roster)