One name that has surfaced in discussions is Jessie Bates III. Bates is valued for his experience in Morris’s defensive system, which could make him an attractive option for a team looking to bolster its back end. On the other side of the discussion, there is emphasis on extending Bates with Atlanta, given his strong performance in recent seasons.
Bates’s 2025 season with Atlanta included a notable contribution: a strong overall defensive grade, three interceptions, and two pass breakups. He also tallied 70 solo tackles in open-field situations and missed only seven tackles, illustrating his consistency and reliability in coverage and run support. When targeted, opposing quarterbacks posted a passer rating around 100.6. Bates has also indicated a desire to finish his career with the Falcons, though contract talks had not progressed publicly at the time of discussion.
In terms of recent performance, Bates showed solid play with an overall defensive grade in the mid-60s on the spectrum used by evaluators. His ability to contribute as a deep-lying safety and his experience in the Falcons’ system add to the considerations for teams evaluating him as a midseason upgrade.
The broader conversation around Bates involves the potential for a midseason trade target. Analysts have noted that safety production is often linked to a team’s pass rush, and with some teams investing in their defensive lines, midseason adjustments to the safety position can be a strategic move. For a team like the 49ers, who finished with a relatively low number of sacks in a prior season, adding a veteran who can play deep in coverage while freeing others to operate closer to the line could be appealing. There is also attention on whether an in-season deal could bring Bates into the fold, reuniting him with Morris if the scheme and timing align.
Overall, Bates’s combination of veteran presence, playmaking ability in coverage, and run-support versatility make him a plausible target for teams seeking a reliable safety with leadership qualities. For the 49ers, evaluating the fit with Morris’s system, the impact on the current roster, and the financial implications would be key steps in any potential midseason pursuit. As teams evaluate their rosters ahead of the trade deadline, the possibility of a veteran safety with prior familiarity in Morris’s scheme remains a topic of ongoing analysis.
