AP Photo/Aaron Doster
The Cincinnati Bengals want to make sure that they don't have to pay a free agent to stay.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said that the franchise tag would be used by the Bengal.
The franchise tag value for safeties is estimated to be $13 million by Spotrac.
He was drafted in the second round of the 2018?
He has started all 63 regular-season games in his career. He recorded at least 100 combined tackles in each of his first three seasons.
He looked like he was ready to go to the top tier of safeties in 2020. The 25-year-old led all players at the position and tied for sixth overall with 15 pass breakups.
The campaign in the year 2020 was a step down. He finished the season with a career-high three tackles for loss, but his four pass breakups were the lowest of his career.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bates has some schemeVersatility that will make him a valuable asset to most defenses.
"Bates showed in 2020 that he can be an elite center field safety with the range to get to the sideline and make plays on the football. He is an ideal player for the Seattle Cover 1/Cover 3 style of defense, which is becoming increasingly less prevalent. He would also thrive in any system that runs with split safety shells, which makes him an ideal fit for most of the league in some shape or form."
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card game.
Doug Kyed @DougKyed#Bengals S Jessie Bates had his highest grade of the season when it mattered most in Saturday's wild-card round win over the Raiders.
🟩 85.6 @PFF grade
0️⃣ Zero catches allowed on two targets👋 Two pass breakups
During the run to the Super Bowl, Cincinnati had the best defense. In four playoff games, he had six pass breakups and two intercepts.
As long as he can find a consistent level of play, he could end up being a foundation piece for the team.
It makes sense to bring back Bates for one season on the franchise tag to prove himself.
No one knows the skill set and talent of the Bengals better than them. If he gets back to his previous level, he gives them a ballhawk in the secondary.
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