Bengals Rumors: 5 potential landing spots for Jessie Bates

2. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons could be the overall most realistic option if a trade were to happen. Bates could instantly come in and be the most talented safety.

The Falcons are one of the teams that are going through a rebuilding process, and that was on full display once they decided to trade Matt Ryan.

Bates is still in his 20s and is just now finished up his rookie contract, yet that is when the Bengals chose to franchise tag him. The Falcons, who are trying to build a foundation on both sides of the ball, could make this a realistic option with the capability, age, and leadership roles that the fifth-year safety brings to the table.

The Falcons’ current situation at the defensive back isn’t bad, led by Erik Harris and Casey Hayward. However, Bates would very well bolster that secondary and make them one of the more competitive units in the NFC South.

Atlanta sits with the league’s 10th most current cap space, which is behind the Cincinnati Bengals. However, they still remain in a position where they could make a long-term deal work without much hassle whatsoever.

Still, it would be an investment that would set the payroll back going into these next few seasons if they were to do that with much less rollover unless they included players in a trade package to kill cap from their side as well.