The Atlanta Falcons took a gamble when they signed veteran safety Jessie Bates to a hefty four-year, $64 million deal in NFL free agency last offseason.

But right off the bat, he left no room for disappointment in his debut with the Falcons in Week 1 of 2023 season, logging 10 total tackles, two interceptions, two passes defended, and a forced fumble — earning himself the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.

He went on to have a stellar rest of the year as he recorded a career-high 132 tackles, six interceptions, 11 passes defended, and three forced fumbles. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod and made the All-Pro Second Team for the second time.

He ranked first among safeties in ball hawk rate (28.2%) and third in the league for interceptions.

According to several NFL coaches, executives, and scouts, who voted on the best safeties ahead of the 2024 season, Bates is only going to add to his success this fall as he comes in at No. 3 on ESPN’s top 10 safeties list.

“What he does well is dislodging the ball — not just interceptions but disrupting what should be completions,” an AFC executive said about Bates, via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “He’s been one of the more consistent safeties in the league for a long time now.”

While Atlanta had an up-and-down 2023 season and finished with an overall disappointing 7-10 record, Bates remained a consistent bright spot.

He was also a big reason the Falcons’ defense improved from 2022 and finished ranked eighth in passing yards allowed, 11th in total yards, 18th in scoring, and 29th in run defense.

With the help of Bates’ persistent ball-hawking skills and new head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, fans should only expect to see those rankings take a massive jump this fall.