How does Jessie Bates III help the Jaguars defense? Are Falcons still contending?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed one of their biggest weaknesses Monday by sending a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for safety Jessie Bates III, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

That may be just the first move the team makes before Tuesday's trade deadline to solidify itself as a legitimate contender. The Jaguars still need help at defensive tackle, especially after the loss of nose tackle DaVon Hamilton for the rest of the season with a quad injury, and the pass rush could use some help, too.

At 6-2, the Jaguars are in third place in the AFC and have a three-game lead in the AFC South. This move could suggest a win-now mentality.

Bates, who made the Pro Bowl in 2023, can stabilize a secondary that has been hit with multiple injuries at safety and cornerback. The Jaguars made a similar move last season at the trade deadline by acquiring receiver Jakobi Meyers to help a position group that had multiple players out with injuries and that keyed an offensive surge that carried them to a division title. The hope is that Bates can do the same for the secondary because getting through the AFC means beating some of the league's top QBs -- especially Buffalo's Josh Allen.

The Falcons, on the other hand, were able to get good draft capital for a player on an expiring contract but are still competing in the NFC South.

What does this move mean for the Jaguars' defense and the Falcons' draft plans? ESPN NFL Nation reporters Michael DiRocco and Marc Raimondi and NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid take a look at each.

What does the Bates addition mean for the Jaguars' defense?

The Jaguars rank second in the league in opponents points per game (15.1), yet 22nd in passing yards allowed per game (229.0).

Starting safety Eric Murray, who went on injured reserve on Nov. 3 with a season-ending elbow injury, didn't have an interception or pass breakup this season but he was valued because he was a good communicator on the field. Bates brings that, but he also has good ball skills (28 career interceptions).

Bates's durability is a huge plus, too. He has missed three games in his nine-year career while Murray has missed seven games since he signed with the Jaguars in March 2025. Murray's injury, which happened on the first play of Week 8, as well as injuries to Caleb Ransaw (placed on IR on Oct. 6 with a knee injury) and Antonio Johnson (ankle) forced the Jaguars to use special teams standout Rayuan Lane III and practice squad player Kaevon Merriweather more on defense. While both played well -- Lane made a game-saving fourth-down tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals and had a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Colts -- this move gives the Jaguars a good safety tandem.

This move also gives coordinator Anthony Campanile a little more versatility in how he wants to use his safeties, because he now has two players who can play closer to the line of scrimmage, whether that's in base or nickel packages. Bates also brings more as a blitzer than Murray and that should allow Campanile to be a little more creative. -- DiRocco

Could the Jaguars extend Bates' contract?

The Jaguars traded for Meyers (who turns 30 today) last November and signed him to a three-year extension, so signing a 29-year-old safety isn't out of the question -- especially if they're unable to work out an extension for Johnson, who is in the final season of his rookie contract. But the Jaguars have some 2027 cap work to do because they're currently projected to be $15.4 million over, per OverTheCap. There's also a potential contract for receiver Parker Washington to figure into those calculations this offseason, too. -- DiRocco

What does trading the star safety say about the Falcons' trajectory this season?

The Falcons are 3-6, but still only one game out of first place in the NFC South. Atlanta still has a chance to win the division and make the playoffs, which it has not done since 2017. Bates could have helped the Falcons achieve that -- he's still playing at a very high level. But how could Atlanta turn down a second-round pick for a safety who will turn 30 years old in February?

The Falcons have gone either 8-9 or 7-10 the last five seasons. At some point, they need to make the football decisions that get them to a stronger, deeper roster and not just dwell in the middle like they have been, hoping to take advantage of a weak division. Atlanta was unlikely to re-sign Bates in the offseason, so why not get something substantial in return for him now rather than wait to see if the team can somehow sneak into the playoffs?

Second-year safety Xavier Watts, who had five interceptions as a rookie, will step into Bates' role on the Falcons defense. Bates has been a mentor to Watts, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has relished the fact that Watts has patterned his game after Bates.

Atlanta also has young defensive backs Billy Bowman Jr. and Avieon Terrell who are ready to take on more responsibilities in the secondary, along with solid veterans DeMarcco Hellams and Sydney Brown, both of whom could start with Bates on the move. Bowman also has experience playing safety.

Bates has also been a mentor to quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The two have had lockers next to one another since Penix was a rookie in 2024. Bates has been one of Penix's staunchest advocates. Bates will be missed on the field and off, but the Falcons decided it was an offer too good to refuse. -- Raimondi

What can Atlanta do with those incoming picks?

Offensive tackle and cornerback are two obvious areas of need for the Falcons. With an extra Day 2 pick, Atlanta could look to target protection for Michael Penix Jr. And Melvin Siani (Texas), Elijah Paige (USC) and Drew Azzopardi (Washington) would all be names that could be available in that range and help. At cornerback, I think Audavion Collins (Penn State), Jalen Mayo (Houston) or Vicari Swain (South Carolina) could make sense, too. -- Reid