Bates #90 in top 100

[Whatever]

(08-16-2021, 10:00 AM)Sled21 Wrote: This is not a knock on Bates in any way shape or form, because we all love his play, but maybe he's listened to too many people around Cincinnati telling him he's the best. Seems on a national level that is not the common thought. (of course, this could be strictly due to market) But, this should give him and his agent something to ponder.

There are national outlets that have Bates as elite, like PFF and he was an AP 2nd team All Pro.  However, he is not universally seen as elite, which creates tough negotiations.  His camp will obviously argue that he's elite to drive the price up while the team is obviously going to take the stance that he's good but not elite.