4 Bengals due for a bounceback in 2020

Some Cincinnati Bengals stars are bound for big rebounds in 2020.

Jessie Bates

Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) returns to the bench after a play in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. Despite a fourth quarter comeback, the Bengals fell to 0-5 with a 26-23 loss to the Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals At Cincinnati Bengals

Bates followed the same path as Jackson. A 79.9 PFF grade in 2018 for a seemingly rising star safety turned into a 59.7 under the new coaching staff. After allowing just one touchdown in 2018, Bates coughed up four in 2019, while his missed tackle percentage ballooned from 8.3 to 14.5 percent.

But plenty of hope remains. Bates is still a ball-hawking presence and the hope is another year in the system plus the addition of better linebackers and safeties who fill other roles — such as Vonn Bell — can let Bates really focus on where he excels.

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