<p>Bates III leads the Falcons with 24 tackles, anchoring the linebacker corps and the run defense on the back end.</p><p>His leadership in the secondary supports a top pass defense, contributing to a steady fantasy-friendly scheme for the defense as a whole.</p>

Bates III’s coverage presence shaped Mayfield’s downfield attempts, pressuring the Buccaneers to rely on quicker reads and the run-pass mix. His role underscores the Falcons’ defensive priorities in containing TB’s aerial attack and testing Mayfield’s comfort with quick corrections.

Bates complements Terrell by providing post-snap support and bracket help on Jefferson, allowing Atlanta to execute a two-deep structure with Bowman’s speed providing underneath range and run support.

Bates anchors the secondary with turnover upside; line improvements should boost Bates' fantasy value in IDP leagues as his aggressive playstyle gets more chances to create chaos.

Bates anchors the Falcons defense, providing veteran leadership and a steadying presence as a mentor to a notably young group, with expectations to raise communication, discipline, and overall reliability on a unit still learning pro-level intricacies.