Atlanta Falcons' Ryan Nielsen Reveals How Jessie Bates III Creates Turnovers
Big contracts signed during free agency come back to bite ascending teams who got overzealous. Safety Jessie Bates III joining the Atlanta Falcons is not one of those times.
Bates has had a game-changing impact on Atlanta’s defense, much like Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had after his acquisition. Even at four years and $64.02 million, the Falcons may have underpaid for Bates’ services.
Part of what makes his impact not only great, but overly apparent, is his proclivity for creating turnovers. Stealing possessions from teams and bailing others out has an unsurprisingly massive effect on a defense’s performance.
Atlanta defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen spoke about how Bates continues to rack up interceptions and make incredible plays on the ball.
Bates celebrates with his Falcons teammates after a turnover.
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“With him, he does an excellent job of studying and knowing what we’re going to get on third down, first down, second down, passing game, those type of things,” Nielsen said. “Also, he does a good job of emphasizing punch-outs, causing fumbles.”
Ball production is one of the most valuable benefits a defensive back can bring to a team. Lapses in coverage and tackling are frequently (and rightfully, in many cases) forgiven when that player is a proven asset in making splash plays on defense.
Bates doesn’t fall into that category—he’s one of the best defensive players in the sport. Still, Nielsen remains impressed.
“Some guys have a knack of being around the football, and he’s a player that he’s always around the football,” Nielsen said. “And even when he doesn’t quite make the play, he’s standing right by.”
Being in the right place at the right time is a skill and one that Bates has mastered. It showed up in his two interceptions of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young in Week 1 and is his way of making luck seem to fall in his favor.
Nielsen was quick to explain that his influence reverberates throughout the defense.
“I think with the other guys, he brings a sense of confidence to the rest of the group and that they’re seeing how it’s being done,” Nielsen continued. “And everybody’s emulating or seeing it.”
So far, Bates has three interceptions, which is tied for the most in all of football. Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, Detroit Lions defensive back Jerry Jacobs, and New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead (all from Week 1!) also share that lead.
He has two forced fumbles, too.
There’s physical talent and there’s mental talent and according to Nielsen, Bates has both. It’s part of what makes him special and a safe bet for a positive return on investment, no matter the cost of his deal.
“But he does a really good job. And again, him studying the game,” Nielsen concluded. “He’s a student of the game and loves football, and that really helps as well.”
Bates and the rest of the Falcons defense will look to create turnovers and shut down a vulnerable Washington Commanders offense on Sunday.
