Fansided

10 most underrated NFL players going into 2020

By Rucker Haringey

Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Jessie Bates, Cincinnati Bengals
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 22: Jessie Bates #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals lines up against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

5. Jessie Bates

Safeties aren’t the most valuable commodity in the modern NFL, but having a guy in the deep third who can make plays on the ball is a huge luxury for defenses. That’s exactly what the Bengals have with Bates.

He’s not a traditional thumper against the run, but his work there allows him to hold up against any kind of offensive system. His strength is really patrolling center field from his free safety position though. He may not have elite speed, but his ability to read routes and break on the football allows him to make a lot of plays.

The question for Bates moving forward is just how many turnovers he can produce. He needs more help from his teammates to increase his interception total, but he has the natural ability and mental acumen to develop into a takeaway artist. He’ll need to boost those totals if he wants to get the attention he deserves.

For what it’s worth, the Bengals know the value they have in the former Wake Forest star. They’re already working to lock him up via a new contract before he has a chance to test the open market. 2020 could easily be the year where Bates becomes a household name.

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