Jaguars acquire Jessie Bates III in deadline day trade with Atlanta
Jacksonville sends a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to replace injured starter Eric Murray.
By Talia Bennett ·
The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired veteran safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, a day before the NFL trade deadline closed. Sources told ESPN that the deal was finalized to address a critical hole in Jacksonville's defense. The Jaguars sent a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Atlanta to complete the transaction.
The move comes as a direct response to injury. Starter Eric Murray suffered an elbow injury and was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 3. He will miss the remainder of the season, leaving the Jaguars without their primary safety. Bates enters the lineup to cover the position for the rest of the year.
Bates, 29, is in the final year of a four-year contract worth $64 million. He has played parts of nine seasons in the league with the Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals. His resume includes a Pro Bowl selection in 2023, his first year with Atlanta. Over his career, Bates has recorded 28 interceptions and has had at least one in every season of play.
The trade addresses a statistical imbalance in Jacksonville's defense. The Jaguars rank fifth in the NFL in rush defense, allowing 89.3 yards per game. However, they rank 22nd in pass defense, surrendering 229 yards per game. Despite this weakness, the team holds a three-game lead in the AFC South and enters Sunday with a 6-2 record.
For the Falcons, the move frees up salary cap space and aligns with their long-term plan. General Manager Ian Cunningham has stated the team wants to build through the draft, a strategy emphasized after they had only five picks in 2026. The franchise is expected to have more than $142 million in salary cap space this offseason, according to Spotrac. This flexibility allows the new regime, including President of Football Matt Ryan and Coach Kevin Stefanski, to rebuild around young talent.
Second-year safety Xavier Watts is expected to slide into the role Bates vacated. The Falcons also retain other young defensive backs, including Billy Bowman Jr. and Avieon Terrell. The trade allows Atlanta to retain its 2027 second-round pick and its 2028 fifth-round pick, adding to their draft capital for future seasons.
