Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) walks off the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

ESPN Ranks Former Bengals Star Jessie Bates III Among Top Five NFL Safeties

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 7:53 AM ET

Former Bengals star Jessie Bates III is considered a Top-10 safety around the league, but no Bengal is in that group. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler dropped another round of positional top 10s Thursday, highlighting the league's best safeties picked by execs, scouts, and coaches.

Bates was the fourth-best name on the list.

"Bates is a prime example of how free agency is supposed to work," Fowler noted. "The Falcons gave him a four-year, $64 million deal two offseasons ago, and he has rewarded the team with 10 interceptions and 21 pass breakups so far. His 24 interceptions since entering the league in 2018 ranks fifth among all NFL players during that span.

"Lack of physicality was a criticism of Bates during his four-year stint in Cincinnati, but he is viewed as more of a complete player now with 234 tackles over the past two seasons. He isn't afraid to take aggressive angles and try to punch the ball out when tackling."

A stellar signing by the Falcons has more than worked out after Cincinnati decided Bates wasn't worth the money he wanted.

He is a walking playmaker that Cincinnati has spent more resources to replace rather than extending him in 2020 or 2021. Alas, hindsight is 20/20 as the Bengals face another key contract crossroads with Trey Hendrickson.