If there’s a defender that’ll likely sign moments after the NFL free agency period begins this coming Monday, it’s Jessie Bates III. The fifth-year safety is a thief in the secondary and after playing 2022 on the franchise tag, his career as a Cincinnati Bengal may be over.
It’ll be heading to the highest bidder as an unrestricted free agent. And the Las Vegas Raiders should be in on the action. Bates would provide the Silver & Black something its lacking in a top-end safety who can cover deep and take the ball away.
Tale of the Tape: Jessie Bates III
- Position: Safety
- Year drafted: 2nd round (54th overall), 2018
- Age: 26
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Weight: 200 pounds
- 2022 Stats: 71 total tackles (38 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 4 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
- Career Stats: 479 total tackles (327 solo), 6 tackles for loss, 14 interceptions (1 returned for touchdown), 43 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
The career numbers speak for themselves.