The Jacksonville Jaguars are loading up on defense ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. The team acquired veteran safety Jessie Bates from the Atlanta Falcons Monday morning in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Bates is a one- time Pro Bowler and three-time second team All-Pro. He began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 and spent five years with them before signing with the Falcons in 2023. During his Falcons tenure, he started every game across three-plus seasons while totaling 14 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 392 tackles. The 29-year-old safety now joins the AFC South-leading Jaguars, who are 6-2 after dismantling the depleted Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football. Jacksonville’s defense has been one of the league’s stingiest units so far this season, ranking second in points allowed per game (15.1) and third in takeaways (15). On the other side, Atlanta adds some draft capital after falling to 3-6 with a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid on Sunday. Despite being three games under .500, the team is just 0.5 games back in the NFC South, where all four teams have three wins through nine weeks. The Jaguars are the latest team to make an addition ahead of the NFL trade deadline, which is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The Chicago Bears struck a blockbuster for All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, the Seattle Seahawks traded for All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and the Baltimore Ravens brought in veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett after losing Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley to injuries. Chicago Bears Oct 29 Bears acquire star DT Jeffery Simmons from Titans for 2 first-round picks NFL Nov 4 Ravens to trade for Jacoby Brissett from Cardinals to fill QB void: Report ...read more read less