Prize of Falcons free agent class dubbed ‘Defensive Signing of the Year’

To say the Falcons’ $64 million investment in Jessie Bates III paid off would be an understatement.

He was the gem of the free agent class and was the team’s most valuable player. Bates earned his first Pro Bowl nod along with his second All-Pro nomination thanks to a spectacular 2023 campaign in which he set career highs across the board.

Bates tallied three forced fumbles, six interceptions, and 128 tackles. Bates is solely responsible for a couple of Atlanta’s wins, including against the Saints in the season’s first matchup, accounting for two red zone turnovers, including a pick-six. Against the Panthers in the season opener, Bates forced three turnovers that netted 17 points.

Bates ranked second among safeties in tackles (132) behind Camryn Bynum, second in interceptions (6) behind Geno Stone, and tied for third in forced fumbles (3) behind Winfield Jr. and Josh Metellus.

As I began the blog, to say the Falcons free agent signing has worked out wouldn’t be doing it justice. CBS Sports Joel Corry believes it was the best defensive free agent signing of the offseason.

Jessie Bates III was brought in to help shore up a shaky Falcons pass defense that ranked 25th in the NFL in yards allowed during the 2022 season. He received a four-year, $64.02 million contract to become the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid safety at $16.005 million per year. The deal has $36 million fully guaranteed, which is tied as second-most for a safety.

Bates was arguably the league’s best safety this season. His six interceptions, which included a pick six, were third-most in the NFL. Bates also forced three fumbles. Atlanta’s pass defense improved dramatically with Bates ranking ninth in the NFL in yards allowed.

Bates earned first team All-NFL honors from the Pro Football Writers Of America and the Sporting News because of his efforts. The Associated Press named Bates a second team All-Pro and he is a Pro Bowler for the first time in his NFL career.

Jessie Bates will be a key figure in Raheem Morris’ defense. The Falcons’ safety should be an important cog in whatever scheme Morris and Jimmy Lake, Atlanta’s defensive coordinator, decide to implement.

The Falcons will rely on the veteran to help bridge the holdovers from Arthur Smith’s team to Raheem Morris’ staff. Jessie Bates has already proven to be one of the most valuable free agent signings in Falcons history.