What grade did the Jacksonville Jaguars receive for their role in the Jessie Bates' trade with the Atlanta Falcons?
ESPN's Seth Walder has since weighed in.
To acquire Bates, the Jaguars are sending a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Atlanta. With the Falcons reportedly taking on the bulk of Bates' remaining 2026 salary, Jacksonville likely had to pay a premium to land the safety.
As of now, Bates is a rental, as he is set to hit free agency this upcoming offseason.
Bates has been durable during his time with the Falcons and has had very strong ball production over his career, totaling 30 interceptions and 46 pass breakups since entering the NFL in 2018. He is a one-time Pro Bowler and a three-time second-team All-Pro.
Bates
will step into a starting safety role with the Jaguars next to Antonio Johnson.
ESPN grades Jaguars-Falcons Jessie Bates trade
For this deal, Walder gave the Jaguars a B and the Falcons a B+. Here is what he had to say:
"It's a little more than I would want; last week I proposed a Bates deal to Buffalo for a third and a fifth, though I do think now I might have been aiming too low," Walder wrote. "But ultimately I can get on board because all of the aspects of the deal (impact player, fills need, win-now window) make sense and the price ultimately isn't egregious if he is indeed a rental. So my B grade here indicates I would make this trade if I were the Jaguars, but I wouldn't have done it for more."
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: ESPN grades Jaguars-Falcons Jessie Bates trade
