Bengals nab ball hawk with Jessie Bates III in 2nd round
Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Cincinnati Bengals have selected safety Jessie Bates III out of Wake Forest in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 54th overall.
Bates' addition gives the Bengals a much-needed playmaker in the secondary after the team ranked 20th in the league with only 11 interceptions last season.
Jessie Bates Bio
Position: S
School: Wake Forest
College Experience: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200 lbs
What the analysts are saying
- "Bates plays with energy and aggressiveness and is likely to fill a stat sheet with production thanks to his versatility and play traits. He should contribute early on defense and special teams and has a chance to become a good NFL starter." Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
- "Isn't elite in any one area, but he is well-rounded with the cover instincts, play range, and toughness versus the run to contribute to an NFL secondary." Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
Athletic testing
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yard Dash | 4.5 sec |
| Vertical Jump | 35.5 inches |
| Broad Jump | 117 inches |
| 3-Cone Drill | 6.78 sec |
| 20-yd Shuttle | 4.26 sec |
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