2018 Dallas Cowboys draft profile: Jessie Bates III

Our draft profile series continues, as today we take a look at a player the Dallas Cowboys met with at the NFL Scouting Combine, Wake Forest safety, Jessie Bates III.

Today, we continue to the draft profile series and look at safety Jessie Bates III. Someone whom the Dallas Cowboys seem to have clear interest in.

According to Jonah Tuls, an NFL Draft Analysts for NDT Scouting, the Cowboys met with Bates at the Scouting Combine last weekend.

Jessie Bates III is a 21-year old, 6’2 195 lb safety from Wake Forest University.

In 11 games last season at Wake Forest, Bates tallied 77 total tackles, 49 solo, six tackles for loss, and also one interception. Bates did miss two games to injury.

Bates 2016 numbers were much better . In a full 13-game season, he posted 100 total tackles, 70 solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, and also five interceptions. Bates was named a Consensus Freshman All-American.

At the NFL Scouting Combine last weekend Bates posted some solid numbers. A 4.5 40-yard dash, 35.5 inches in the vertical jump, and a 6.78 three cone drill.

One of Bates biggest strength is his tackling ability, shown by totaling almost 200 tackles in his final two seasons at Wake Forest. The 21-year old safety is very aggressive, and is never afraid to stick his nose in there and make a big hit.

Bates is a very instinctive player, and will bring versatility to whatever team drafts him at the safety position. He is able to handle his own in man coverage, and also posses good ball skills to make plays in zone.

Another thing the Wake Forest product can add to a team is punt return ability, as he returned 27 punts, for 234 yards, and one touchdown in his college career.

Being such an instinctive player can sometimes get Bates in trouble though, as he has a tendency to let plays get behind him, and does not take great angles sometimes when trying to make a tackle.

For the Dallas Cowboys, safety is an area of concern that needs to be addressed this offseason, and with Byron Jones most likely moving back to corner, it is almost certain they will take one in this years draft.

Bates would bring a physical and tough presence to the safety position that Jones lacked. He is never afraid to hit anybody, and could bring an edge to the Dallas defense.

Next: Cowboys 2018 Post-Combine 7 Round Mock Draft 2.0

After a solid combine, Jessie Bates’ name is starting to rise up draft boards, and it make take using their second round pick at #51 if they want to get him. If they Dallas Cowboys are looking for a hard nosed, versatile safety, Bates is their guy.

Round Projection: Round 2