Falcons GM Ian Cunningham Eyes Draft Capital, Could Jessie Bates III Be on the Move?
Ian Cunningham didn’t waste any time making his vision clear in his first press conference as the new general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. His message? Draft picks are gold in today’s NFL, and he wants as many as he can get his hands on.
That’s a sharp pivot from the previous regime under Terry Fontenot, who wasn’t shy about using picks to chase immediate upgrades - like the bold move for edge rusher James Pearce Jr., which cost Atlanta its 2026 first-rounder. Now, Cunningham finds himself in a bit of a bind: he’s trying to build through the draft, but the Falcons only have five picks in 2026 and no first-rounder to work with.
But if you’re looking for a silver lining, Cunningham’s track record offers one. In his first draft with the Bears, he turned five picks into ten selections by wheeling and dealing. Falcons fans should expect a similar strategy - think aggressive trade-downs, maybe even a few surprise veteran moves to recoup draft capital.
And that brings us to a name fans in Atlanta know well: Jessie Bates III.
Could Bates Be Trade Bait?
Let’s be clear - Bates has been a leader and impact player since arriving in Atlanta. But if Cunningham is serious about stockpiling picks, moving a high-value veteran like Bates could be on the table.
It’s not unprecedented. Before that 10-player draft haul in Chicago, Cunningham helped orchestrate the Khalil Mack trade, sending the former All-Pro to the Chargers for draft assets.
The Falcons could follow a similar script here.
Bates is still a high-end safety, but there are signs the Falcons may be ready to pivot. He’s entering the final year of his deal, and while his $24.77 million cap hit looks steep, the team could save $6.25 million in cap space by converting part of his salary into a signing bonus - making him much easier to move. That’s a manageable number for a contending team in need of help on the back end.
San Francisco Makes Sense
If there’s a logical landing spot, it’s San Francisco. The 49ers just brought in Raheem Morris - the former Falcons head coach - to run their defense. Morris knows Bates well, having coached him the past two seasons, and he’ll be looking to put his stamp on a defense that, despite its talent, showed some cracks in 2025.
San Francisco’s secondary gave up the eighth-most passing yards per game last season, and the loss of Talanoa Hufanga was a big reason why. They need a true center fielder, and Bates fits that bill - especially for a coach who already knows how to maximize his skill set.
Bates’ All-Pro days may be behind him, and with Xavier Watts waiting in the wings, the Falcons could feel comfortable betting on a younger, cheaper option at safety. The position is one of the more replaceable spots on defense, especially for a team that’s trying to reset its roster and build for the long haul.
A Tough Call, But a Logical One
Trading Bates wouldn’t be easy - he’s been a tone-setter in the locker room and a playmaker on the field. But this is the kind of move that aligns with what Cunningham is trying to build. If the Falcons want to turn five picks into something closer to ten, veterans like Bates become valuable chips.
And for a 49ers team that’s in win-now mode, adding a proven safety who knows the system and can stabilize the back end might be worth giving up a mid-round pick - or more.
Cunningham has made his priorities clear. Now the question is whether he’s willing to make the tough calls that come with them. If history is any guide, don’t be surprised if the Falcons get aggressive - and if a familiar face ends up in red and gold out west.