'The Big Investment': Inside How Jessie Bates Signing is Paying Off for Atlanta Falcons

Entering this spring with a roster in need of upgrades and plenty of cap space to spend in order to do so, the Atlanta Falcons went big-game hunting ... and walked away with a strong influx of talent spearheaded by safety Jessie Bates III.

The Falcons made Bates the fourth highest-paid safety in the NFL, dishing out a four-year, $64 million contract with the hopes of shoring up the back end of a defense that ranked amongst the league’s worst in several categories.

Some countered that safeties aren’t worth the price tag, instead opting for the belief that Atlanta should’ve further bolstered its defensive front – which it ultimately did with the signings of David Onyemata, Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree.

Of course, the Falcons already had a pair of young safeties on the roster with Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins garnering their first year of starting experience last season, but Bates is simply different with what he provides.

What, exactly, is it that makes Bates such an important piece? Despite missing parts of OTAs due to the birth of his first child, the former Cincinnati Bengals standout has been around team facilities all spring and delivered on the traits that drew defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen to him prior to the start of free agency.

"There's a lot with him," Nielsen said. "First of all, playmaking ability, leadership, he's a great teammate. So, that combination of things right there, it's like, 'We've got to have this guy on our football team.' It'll be good just for everybody."

Falcons coach Arthur Smith has previously praised Bates for providing "real, authentic leadership" and being a positive impact on the young defensive backs; it's part of what makes the 26-year-old unique, or special.

Bates has been referred to as a mid-tier veteran, with his five years of starting experience all coming at a relatively young age, giving him a wealth of knowledge alongside his profile as a young difference maker on the back end - and he's poised to bring that presence to Atlanta.

"Jessie's going to be a great leader," cornerback Jeff Okudah said. "He's someone who's played in a lot of meaningful football games, and I think he's a veteran we can all lean on just from his experiences in the NFL."

In Cincinnati, the 6-1, 200-pound Bates nabbed at least three interceptions in four of his five seasons and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020; this past year, he recorded 71 tackles, eight passes defended and four interceptions across 16 games.

But Bates' value stretches far beyond his individual play - when the Falcons gave him $64 million, they did so with the belief that he'll elevate those around him with his presence on and off the field ... and while it's still early in the acclimation process, Smith feels Atlanta's received what it paid for.

"Certainly with Jessie, you're making a big investment," Smith said. "A guy you're anticipating to be an impact player - that's why you bring him in here. You better bring in the right guys, and Jessie, certainly feel very confident that's who he's been."

Smith added that Bates has been "great" in his first three months with the Falcons, starting with his consistency behind the scenes and spreading to his mentorship of Grant and cornerback A.J. Terrell.

Okudah doubled up on that stance, expanding on Bates' leadership within the young defensive backs room and stretching into his on-field presence.

"I think just being able to let us know what he sees back there," Okudah said. "Obviously he plays safety, so he has a bigger view of what the offense is trying to accomplish, and he's been impactful for some of the younger guys in our room."

This is largely why Atlanta's third-year boss is so optimistic that he and general manager Terry Fontenot landed one of those "right guys" in Bates, who worked alongside now-Falcons secondary coach Steve Jackson in Cincinnati during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, giving the organization a heightened sense of understanding as to the person - first and foremost - it was committing so much money to.

And really, that's the smart, calculated nature of which Smith and Fontenot approached free agency with - signing players with past connections to the staff, thus adding positive locker room impacts as much as skilled football players ... something that certainly applies to Bates, who's already become a guiding light for the rest of Atlanta's young secondary.

"Day-to-day, the interactions, a guy they can watch, they can emulate," Smith said. "Certainly, a guy that's here, he's new, he's got to find his voice, as well. But I think when you just watch him day in and day out, it gives you a lot of confidence."

It's evident that Bates has made a strong first impression on Smith - and the same idea radiates throughout Atlanta's locker room.

Why?

Look no further than what Smith's comment of "day in and day out" - Bates has been inside the team's facilities far more often than he was required to be and left a lasting mark on those around him with his leadership and character.

But the Fort Wayne, In., native has done more than just shine off the field; when present at OTAs and minicamp, he's delivered on the conviction that Nielsen had for him from the start.

"There have been a lot of moments, something every day where he shows how good of a player he is," Nielsen said. "He's good at recognizing plays, he's always in the right body position. He's just a smart player who is really confident, which he should be. With that combination, you can see why he has had success over his career."

Now, Bates' mission becomes carrying over past success and turning his impressive start into a strong first season - something the Falcons are very confident will happen.

And that, by all accounts, would be quite the return of investment.

You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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