Trade grades: Falcons agree to trade Jessie Bates III to Jaguars

On Monday, the Atlanta Falcons traded All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

It's a notable move ahead of the Nov. 10 (4 p.m. ET) trade deadline. Bates is the third All-Pro player to be traded since the start of the regular season. 

Now 29, Bates is one of the NFL’s best ballhawks. He is third among active players with 28 interceptions. In nine games this season, Bates has 60 tackles, four passes defended, three forced fumbles, an interception and one defensive touchdown.

For the Jaguars, this is a great move in the short term, adding one of the best safeties in the league to an already great defense. For the Falcons, this moves secures valuable draft capital for future drafts.

Jacksonville Jaguars: B-

There’s no questioning what Jacksonville gets from a player like Bates. There’s also no questioning why the Jaguars would make a trade like this, considering this is probably the best shot for Jacksonville to win a Super Bowl ever. The issue with this trade is how much general manager James Gladstone gave up for what very well could be just a rental.

Bates, now in the last year of his contract, adds stability, experience and consistency to Jacksonville’s defensive back room. The former Falcon helps replace the injured Eric Murray and Caleb Ransaw, both of whom are on injured reserve. Bates also improves the Jaguars' pass defense, which gives up the 11th-most yards per game and the 11th-most yards per pass, making the veteran a necessary addition.

Bates is a turnover machine. Despite his one Pro-Bowl selection, Bates made his keep with interceptions. Seven out of nine seasons, he’s recorded three or more interceptions and out of those seven, three seasons, he’s recorded four or more. He gives defensive Anthony Campanile another versatile chess piece to move across the defensive board.

However, the price is a little steep hence, why Jacksonville gets a lower grade. Surrendering a second rounder this year for an expiring contract is a large risk. Obviously, if Jacksonville wins the big game, this is a moot point. If they don’t win and don’t work out an extension, this could ultimately become an expensive rental.

Jacksonville almost had to make this move considering their record and weaknesses. Although, they certainly paid a premium for a short-term fix, limiting the grade.

Atlanta Falcons: A

Sitting at 3-6, the Falcons had to make some uncomfortable decisions with their expiring contracts. Atlanta struggled to find consistency all season long and this group has far too many questions to realistically contend for the playoffs.

Bates was likely the Falcons' best defensive player, on a defense that was playing well above its talent level. On the other hand, the 29-year-old’s contract was up at the end of the season, so rather than risk losing him for nothing, the Falcons turned Bates into second and fifth-round selections.

The Falcons weren’t spending a lot on their defense anyway, but moving off of Bates’ $16 million salary is a savvy financial move. Even though Jacksonville is paying just $6 million of that cap hit, walking away with a top-64 pick is still great business.

Atlanta now has four picks inside the top 100 in 2027, which give general manager Ian Cunningham valuable ammunition to continue to build this roster through the draft. Losing Bates in the short term hurts, especially as one of the veteran leaders on the locker room. But at the end of the day, the NFL is a business, and the Falcons made a great business decision that suits the long term aspirations of the front office.