NW Atlanta News

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Jessie Bates III declared for the 2018 NFL Draft following his redshirt sophomore season at Wake Forest, player comparisons were abundant. As draft weekend approached, one name repeatedly emerged in discussions about Bates' skillset: Justin Simmons.

At that time, Simmons had just completed his second year in the league and his first as a full-time starter with the Denver Broncos. He was establishing himself as a promising young safety, with four interceptions (one returned for a 65-yard touchdown) and 99 combined tackles over the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Observers noted similarities between Simmons' defensive command and analytical prowess on the field and what Bates exhibited at the college level. Once Bates entered the NFL as a second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, he remembered these comparisons and watched Simmons from afar.

Simmons’ career trajectory included accumulating 30 interceptions (a league-leading six in 2022) and over 600 combined tackles, earning him two Pro Bowl selections over eight years. Meanwhile, Bates made his own mark with 20 interceptions (a team-leading six in 2023) and over 600 combined tackles across six seasons, culminating in his first Pro Bowl selection last season.

Now teammates, Bates feels the immediate impact of having Simmons join their secondary after signing a one-year deal with the organization.

"You never have to worry about him understanding what coverage we're in or how an offense is trying to attack us," Bates said.

Bates appreciates having a versatile player like Simmons beside him. "It's cool to bounce off somebody like (Simmons). He's played to the nickel, he's played away from the nickel, he's played in the box."

Bates clarified this isn't a slight against other safeties he has played with; rather it’s recognition of Simmons' comprehensive experience.

Since quarterback Kirk Cousins joined back in March, he has held regular film sessions with Bates. With Simmons now part of the Falcons for 2024, these sessions have expanded into trio meetings where Cousins notes that Simmons allows Bates to lead while he learns their defensive terminology.

"You have to observe and see how things are done," Cousins explained. "So I think we haven't even seen what he can be or what he will be as the year goes on."

These sessions are vital for building chemistry between Bates and Simmons ahead of sharing field duties.

"We've watched film together… We're just getting ahead on stuff and trying to be leaders of that secondary," Bates said of their off-field work. They frequently exchange texts and videos discussing game plan adjustments.

Simmons expressed gratitude for these collaborative moments with Bates. "Man, we put in extra hours of film… But it has to correlate on Sunday for it to mean something."

The effectiveness of this duo within Atlanta's secondary remains uncertain but both share common goals: complement each other’s playstyle, win games, and enhance team performance overall—a quality Assistant Head Coach/Defense Jerry Gray finds notable about both players’ careers.

Despite potential challenges posed by having two strong leaders on one team—both former captains—their mutual respect suggests such issues are unlikely according to head coach Raheem Morris who stated they aim "to go out there and explode."

Bates finds confidence knowing it’s Simmons alongside him. "Just having a guy who's been there...it puts you at peace of mind to be able to go play faster."