Falcons agree to trade veteran safety Jessie Bates III to Jaguars for 2 draft picks, AP source says
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to trade safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for two draft picks, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.
The Falcons will receive a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, the person said.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the trade.
The 29-year-old Bates had been included in reports as a player who could be moved before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.
Bates had a season-high 14 tackles in the Falcons' 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Madrid. The Falcons (3-6) have lost four of their last five games under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski, leaving them on a path to their ninth consecutive losing season.
Bates has 60 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception and a 36-yard return for a touchdown on a fumble recovery as a bright spot for the Falcons.
In nine seasons, including five with Cincinnati, Bates has 28 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles.
While the Falcons have struggled, the Jaguars (6-2) are contending for the top playoff spot in the AFC. The Jaguars have won five of their last six games, including a 33-10 victory in Baltimore on Thursday night.
The Jaguars will play at Tennessee on Sunday.
___
AP Sports Writer Mark Long contributed to this report.
___
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
© Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
