Bold predictions for the 2020 Cincinnati Bengals

Here are some bold predictions for the 2020 Cincinnati Bengals.

Jessie Bates enters DPoY territory

Oct 28, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) scores a touchdown after making an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Bates has the feel of a breakout star.

We’ve seen flashes of elite ball-hawking potential from the young safety, though things got a little sidetracked last year during a down season for the entire unit during a coaching change.

Even so, we’re talking about a safety with 211 tackles, six interceptions, 16 passes defensed and no more than a 63.3 completion percentage permitted during a single season over just two years. He’s a stat monster still developing and learning a new system and an improved unit around him could lead to something really special in 2020.