Jessie Bates: 3 teams that could trade for Bengals safety

2. Cleveland Browns

One team that could really use Jessie Bates is the Cleveland Browns, although the Bengals might be hesitant to make a move with their in-state rivals, who also happen to play in the AFC North with them as well.

This doesn’t mean it’s impossible for such a move to happen. For instance, the New England Patriots were willing to send Drew Bledsoe to the Buffalo Bills and the Eagles traded Donovan McNabb to Washington.

While those players were nearing the end of their respective careers, they were still quarterbacks who had a lot of success and still could turn their new teams around. While Bates is a difference-maker, he’s at least not a quarterback and if Cincinnati runs low on options, the Browns could luck out.

As for their secondary, Cleveland has a fierce group of cornerbacks with Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Greedy Williams, and rookie Martin Emerson. They also have three safeties who can start in John Johnson, Grant Delpit, and Ronnie Harrison — which they need considering defensive coordinator Joe Woods typically uses three safeties in his defense.

The only issue for them is that all their current players perform better in a strong safety role, rather than as a centerfielder. Bates would be able to fill that role for them, which could bring them to the next level defensively.