Jessie Bates is a redshirt sophomore with two years of starting experience at safety. However, as a redshirt freshman, Bates made 100 tackles and intercepted five passes. He came back down to earth as a sophomore, with 75 tackles and an interception while missing two games due to injury. Still, he certainly has NFL scouts buzzing. Could he be a fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers and in what round?
Measurables:
Age: 21
Strengths
Jessie Bates is a very instinctive player. Bates has great recognition skills and is capable of being the quarterback of a defense in the back end. Watch his break on the ball in the play below. Before the quarterback lets go of the pass Bates has broken on the play and is in front to deflect it away. The understanding of the route concept along with his responsibility combined with fluid change of direction makes this play happen.
In the play below, Jessie Bates is sitting in zone. He is able to read the quarterback, has the speed to recover, turn his body around and find the football for the interception.
Bates has great ball skills when it is in the air. Below, he reads the pass much better than the receiver does. Bates does a great job of undercutting the route and playing the ball, not the receiver.
While he played a lot of deep half in college, Bates also has great speed to potentially play sideline to sideline. His speed shows off in punt returns, interception returns, and in pursuit of the football. Watch how quick he is able to recognize the pass to there running back, break and makeup about 12 yards to hit the running back before he ever has a chance to get upfield.
Bates shows his long speed in the play below as he tracks down a breakaway running back. He is going to be able to play the deep middle in Cover-1.
Weaknesses
Bates understanding and pursuit of the football is impressive, but his ability to finish tackles is very inconsistent.
He guns for ankles a lot and at times can end up diving and missing, taking him out of plays.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ball carriers with strong lower bodies can slip off of his tackles. On this play he gets pushed a bit off of his angle but does not have a great pursuit of the football, allowing for poor form in tackling.
Another poor angle and poor form allow a slot receiver to get by his man with ease.
Bates is a bit smaller, and his inability to get physical and tackle higher combined with his lack of core strength adds into him being shrugged off by ball carriers. He needs to consistently play a more physical game as the team’s last line of defense.
Pro Comparison
Eddie Jackson Chicago Bears
Jackson was able to come in as a rookie and make an impact at free safety for the Chicago Bears. This may be high expectations of a rookie year for Jessie Bates, but he can be used in a similar fashion to Jackson.
Jackson and Bates both have the speed and ability to help as punt returners. That also translates to their ability to play the deep portion of the field with great ball skills. Jackson played a lot of deep halves last season and thrived in the role, but was comfortable in a variety of roles. Bates can be viewed in the same manner. Still, their biggest weakness comes down to physicality.
A fit for Pittsburgh Steelers
There have been rumors that the Steelers may be interested in shedding some salary by letting go of Mike Mitchell. If that were true, would Bates be a great fit?
He does not bring the same physicality that Mike Mitchell brings, but may bring better instincts. A role very similar to Mitchell, playing a lot of deep portions of the field would be great for Bates, though. Bates would be limited in run liabilities and with better ball skills than Mitchell may not need to rely on the physicality as much in the passing game either.
Still, without elite ball skills and sideline to sideline range, the price of a first rounder may be a bit high. The Steelers could be hoping for Jessie Bates to fall to the lower part of the second round, in which case the team would likely be very happy to bring him in.
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
Ep 227: Rookie QB and TE classes of 2022by Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 7:45 pm
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and Bucks upcoming game six, Joel Embiid […]
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Ian and John talk Celtics/Bucks and the NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's new […]
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA playoffs and their current officiating […]
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
Ian and John react to the Celtics Game two win over the Bucks in Boston.
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
Ian and John discuss horror movies, the Deandra Hopkins suspension, and […]
-
Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reaction (5/2)by Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 1:45 am
Ian and John react game one between the Celtics and the Bucks.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 223by Talkamania on March 5, 2022 at 8:22 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
Ep. 37: Modern Problems Require Modern Solutionsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Episode 47 Criss Partee discusses the disappearance of James Harden and the latest NBA Playoffs newsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 4:10 am
-
Ep 113: Wade Barrettby Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 130: Packers UDFA Talkby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
Episode 95: It's Schedule Time!by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 12:16 pm
-
Ep #162: NFL Announces Chiefs 2022 Scheduleby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 12:00 pm
-
The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 177 - The Celtics Collapse in Game 5by Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 9:41 pm
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
-
Ep 73: Bruins Face Elimination; Bruce Cassidy On Hot Seat; Patrice Bergeron Final Standby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 4:00 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
-
Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reaction (5/2)by Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 1:45 am
-
5/2 - Pt. 1 - NFL Draft Talk; Patriots Reactionby Full Press Coverage on May 2, 2022 at 9:38 pm
-
5/2 -NFL Draft; Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reactionby Full Press Coverage on May 2, 2022 at 9:00 pm