{"id":117083,"date":"2021-07-01T21:40:15","date_gmt":"2021-07-02T01:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=117083"},"modified":"2021-07-01T21:47:54","modified_gmt":"2021-07-02T01:47:54","slug":"jessie-bates-is-the-nfls-most-underappreciated-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/07\/01\/jessie-bates-is-the-nfls-most-underappreciated-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Jessie Bates is the NFL&#8217;s Most Underappreciated Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BateJe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jessie Bates&#8217;s<\/a> underappreciated safety play has boosted the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bengals\/\" target=\"_self\">Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> ever since he arrived in 2018. Bates has nine career interceptions, two forced fumbles, and has consistently been the brightest spot on some poor defensive teams. The Bengals&#8217; standout is entering a contract year and plans to build off his fantastic previous seasons to lead the Bengals in 2021.<\/p>\n<h2>Jessie Bates is the NFL&#8217;s Most Underappreciated Safety<\/h2>\n<p>Pro Football Focus (PFF) just snubbed Bates when it released <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/news\/nfl-pff50-ranking-50-best-players-nfl-2021\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the best 50 players in the NFL right now<\/a>. That same PFF, also gave him the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cincyjungle.com\/2021\/6\/25\/22530766\/jessie-bates-will-get-the-respect-he-deserves-in-2021\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">highest safety grade<\/a> in the NFL last year at 90.1. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bengals\/allbengals-insiders-plus\/jessie-bates-has-become-one-of-the-nfls-best\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">In 2020, Bates<\/a> allowed a 42.3 quarterback rating, a 54% catch percentage, and just 5.08 yards per attempt. Pete Prisco from CBS sports is higher on Bates than most and recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/sports\/nfl\/joe-burrow-and-another-bengals-player-land-on-new-list-of-top-100-nfl-players\/ar-AALvdh6\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">noted<\/a> \u201cHe is one of the more underrated players in the league. Bates plays in anonymity in Cincinnati, but please take note. He\u2019s a heck of a player.\u201d With some in league circles having differing opinions on Bates, the tape never lies.<\/p>\n<h3>Check the Tape<\/h3>\n<p>When looking at what makes an excellent free safety, Bates fits the bill in every category. Strong, fast, smart,\u00a0 instinctual, and a leader in the locker room. The tape is the hallmark of every NFL player, and some analysts realize just how special Bates is. Mike Santagata compares Bates&#8217;s play to NFL greats like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/ThomEa99.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Earl Thomas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MathTy00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyrann Mathieu<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PolaTr99.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Troy Polamalu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In this first clip against Mike Gesicki, Bates shows great leverage and the ability to stack up against tight ends.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jessie Bates man coverage on Mike Gesicki <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DoNiEztTCr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/DoNiEztTCr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; mike (@bengals_sans) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bengals_sans\/status\/1336137252456570880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 8, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This one shows the range of Bates and his ability to play center field in what truly sets him apart.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This is an insane play for Jessie Bates to make. He is playing the deep third in the middle of the field. He reads Minshew so well and has the range to go all the way from the right hash to nearly out of bounds to break up this deep ball to Eifert. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OCWS19KmTM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/OCWS19KmTM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; mike (@bengals_sans) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bengals_sans\/status\/1314161688275554304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 8, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Benjamin Solak from <a href=\"https:\/\/thedraftnetwork.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Draft Network<\/a> is also in the Bates fan club. He recently detailed why he thinks Bates is the best single-high safety in the NFL and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cincyjungle.com\/2021\/6\/25\/22530766\/jessie-bates-will-get-the-respect-he-deserves-in-2021\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">said<\/a> &#8220;Bates is able to attack the intermediate hole shots with his explosiveness and play recognition, and he\u2019s able to discourage the deep outside shots with his physicality and long speed. Bates has an old-school vibe: sideline-to-sideline influence with punishing power.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This final clip shows the fantastic instincts of Bates that allow him to flourish.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jessie Bates triggering on similar clearout\/dig combos from Y-Y Wing formations and, in both instances, beating the quarterback to the spot and missing the pick accordingly. <\/p>\n<p>Few players I enjoy watching more than Bates. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/N4r3oLLzV6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/N4r3oLLzV6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BenjaminSolak\/status\/1405617391049056258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Leading a New Cincinnati Bengals Defense<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bengals.com\/team\/coaches-roster\/lou-anarumo\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lou Anarumo<\/a> has a multitude of new weapons at his disposal as he enters a critical third season as defensive coordinator. The Bengals have seven newcomers on the defense that will include a healthy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WaynTr00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trae Waynes<\/a>. They join forces with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HubbSa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Hubbard<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2977670\/dj-reader\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">D.J. Reader<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/players\/vonn-bell\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vonn Bell<\/a>, and Bates. This defensive overhaul should be vastly improved from the last two seasons.<\/p>\n<p>Bates is now another strong voice and leader in the locker room. He recently became the Bengals NFLPA representative and has also led the charge in gathering up players which resulted in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/06\/24\/cincinnati-bengals-mini-camp\/\" target=\"_self\">100% participation<\/a> in OTA&#8217;s. Leadership is critical in the NFL and has been missing before Bates and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bengals.com\/team\/players-roster\/joe-burrow\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Burrow<\/a> arrived. The duo is the best offensive and defensive players on the team and the most respected voices to lead them forward.\u00a0As the Bengals revamped roster begins a new season, Bates is ready to take his stellar play to another level. The rest of the NFL is finally taking notice.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: <a id=\"mBt_XHAFQ_55LL1OHfKVPA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1323748339\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mBt_XHAFQ_55LL1OHfKVPA',sig:'-u7uVl9xrE416niXpdVHBaHTN2md6IQ6J8XMZtPkARk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1323748339',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jessie Bates underappreciated safety play boosts Bengals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3872,"featured_media":117461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,54],"tags":[7637,330,1202,8336,4817,1373,445],"class_list":["post-117083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengals","category-editorials","tag-bengals-featured","tag-cincinnati-bengals","tag-earl-thomas","tag-jessie-bates","tag-lou-anarumo","tag-troy-polamalu","tag-tyrann-mathieu"],"modified_by":"Mason Smoller, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3872"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117083"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117083\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}