Jacksonville Jaguars to trade for Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III

Safety Jessie Bates III (L) started all 17 games in each of his last three full seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPINov. 9 (UPI) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to acquire Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III through a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, a league source told UPI on Monday.Bates, 29, is on the final year of his contract. The nine-year veteran totaled 60 combined tackles, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown through nine starts this season.He would join a Jaguars secondary that includes Antonio Johnson at free safety and cornerbacks Travis Hunter, Montaric Brown and Jourdan Lewis.DeMarcco Hellams and Sydney Brown are now candidates for more snaps at strong safety for the Falcons, next to starting free safety Xavier Watts.The Jaguars have the third-best defense in the AFC in terms of yards allowed per game. They allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game among AFC teams, trailing only the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jaguars' pass defense allowed the eighth-most yards per game among AFC teams.The Jaguars (6-2) will take on the Tennessee Titans (1-7) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Nashville. The Falcons (3-6) will host the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday in Atlanta.