The Detroit Lions have made acquisitions in the secondary to try and help the team’s pass defense ahead of Week 3. But on Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox proposed a much more significant upgrade.
On his Week 3 NFL trade block big board, Knox named the Lions one of two potential suitors for Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates.
“Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III is another impending 2027 free agent who could become a prime trade chip if his team continues to struggle,” Knox wrote. “The Falcons have looked like one of the worst teams in football over the first two weeks, though instability at quarterback has played a large role in that…
“If Penix cannot right the proverbial ship, though, Atlanta may start selling off veterans in preparation for the 2027 draft.”
Knox projected Bates’s trade value as a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick.
Bates has made second-team All-Pro with two different teams — the Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals. Last season, he earned a second-team All-Pro nomination for a third time, posting 98 combined tackles with six pass defenses and three interceptions.
Bates would offer the Lions a high-caliber starting safety with the team still waiting for Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph to return from injury. This week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated Branch will return before Joseph, which has sparked significant concern among Lions fans that Joseph won’t return at all this season.
Why Jessie Bates Makes Sense as Lions Trade Target
Bates’s 4-year, $64 million contract with the Falcons will expire in the spring. That could make him an ideal trade chip for both the Falcons and Lions.
Atlanta might have to start looking a lot more competitive soon to avoid an all-out fire sale before November’s trade deadline. In the first two games of the Kevin Stefanski era, the Falcons have scored one touchdown. They also haven’t run a play inside the red zone.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will return Thursday night in Week 3. Perhaps that changes the team’s outlook. But if it doesn’t, then Bates is probably the team’s best trade chip. Knox sees him worth an early Day 3 selection.
The Lions shouldn’t have an issue handing over that draft capital for an All-Pro caliber defensive back. Bates could solidify a position for Detroit that’s missing two starters. Safety has also been an issue for the team since both Joseph and Branch suffered injuries last season.
Alarm Bells Going Off After New Kerby Joseph Update
Lions fans were hopeful that Branch or Joseph or both could be back this week. The safeties must remain on injured reserve until Week 5, but under new NFL rules, each safety is eligible to return to practice.
On Monday, though, Campbell told reporters neither will practice this week. As Campbell continued with the injury update, he appeared to cast doubt that Joseph would return soon.
“There is nothing I’m going to say is going to make anybody feel better about anything,” Campbell said. “I just know we were strengthening the knee and it wasn’t a setback. But there was a little time there where we weren’t able to do everything we needed to do.
“So now we’re back at it, and until we can get the knee to a certain point to where it feels strong, as strong as we can possibly get it and he feels comfortable. We’re not going to put him out there until he’s ready.”
After that received a negative responds in the fan base, Campbell again addressed Joseph’s status during his weekly radio appearance Tuesday.
“Well, I wish I could make you feel good,” Campbell said. “I can’t make you feel good. It’s going to come as it comes, and he is not ready. We’re trying to get him there as fast as we can, and we are trying to be as smart about it as we can.
“And if he’s ready, when he’s ready, of course we want to play him and get him on the field.”
Given that Joseph’s return doesn’t at all seem guaranteed this season, a trade for a veteran safety makes a lot of sense. Bates might be the best safety on the trade market this fall.
NFL Trade Proposal Ships Lions All-Pro Safety Amid Kerby Joseph Uncertainty