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2018 Cincinnati Bengals: Is the Marvin Lewis-led defense ready for Lamar Jackson?

Hue Jackson meets with the media for the first time since returning to the Cincinnati Bengals staff. Fletcher Page, fpage@enquirer..com

There's a joke Jessie Bates III has heard many times.

He wouldn't have been a second-round draft pick, Cincinnati Bengals defensive assistant Robert Livingston says, if not for Lamar Jackson.

Bates, the rookie safety from Wake Forest, made a name for himself in two games against the Heisman Trophy winner and Louisville, racking up a combined 21 tackles and helping the Demon Deacons to victory in 2017.

"So, yeah, I'm pretty familiar with what he's good at and what he likes to do when he gets outside the pocket," Bates said.