Defensive Depth Chart Discussion

[Sammich]

Since there is already an offensive depth chart discussion, here is the defensive side.

DEFENSE

Cornerback (6): Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Bryce Callahan, Marcus Cooper, Sherrick McManis , Cre'Von LeBlanc

The Bears paid big bucks to Fuller and Amukamara in the offseason. Callahan is an underrated nickel back.

Safety (4): Eddie Jackson, Adrian Amos, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson

Jackson and Amos developed nice chemistry last year. The Bears are still searching for a dependable backup safety.

Linebaker (9): Leonard Floyd, Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, Aaron Lynch, Sam Acho, Nick Kwiatkoski , Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Kylie Fitts, Isaiah Irving

Defensive line (6): Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Jonathan Bullard, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris, John Jenkins

The Bears believe Hicks and Goldman have Pro Bowl potential. Chicago needs Bullard to step up and round out their starting lineup up front.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter (1): Pat O'Donnell

The Bears re-signed O'Donnell in the offseason.

Kicker (1): Cody Parkey

Chicago guaranteed Parkey $9 million.

Long snapper (1): Patrick Scales

Scales missed last year because of an injury but he's still the front-runner to win the starting job.

Kick returner (1): Tarik Cohen

Cohen is a future Pro Bowler on special teams.

Punt returner (1): Tarik Cohen

Cohen returned a punt for a touchdown as a rookie.
-Jeff Dickerson

 

[bearmick]

Bullard has been disappointing overall, despite a few flashes. Seems to be one of these players who basically inherited a started gig due to being drafted with starter expectation and replacing someone who was just a guy (Unrein). Really hope Nichols pushes him hard for playing time; that spot needs competition.

 

[Nelly]

This is much more settled than the offense one. Not a lot of questions beyond the quality of our depth.

 

[dennehy]

I think there has to be at least one more DB, from somewhere. Really bad depth at both CB and S.

I think RRH will be the starter in base packages, but of course starter designation isn't terribly important at DL. Maybe an extra OLB too. Or possibly Timu.

 

[Raskolnikov]

D-line, S

Seem awfully unproven in depth.

I’m fine with CB and would like McManis to clear way for a player with Bellamy.

Tolliver and iggy and Nall and Wims can bring fresh meat to ST’s while retaining future roster value. Pace is going to have to make decisions on a lot of his guys soon...and 2018 May be waiting one year too late.

My concerns are mostly on defense this season. Goldman, Hicks, Floyd, Jackson, Amos

That is 5 positions where the back-up lacks class or experience. Too many.

It gets scary for whole team if any go down for a game.

Two other positions on defense are just a guy to fill.

In 4-6 weeks of attrition you could be looking at half a defense of just guys.

Get me Hankins. Pray about the safeties.

 

[hebs]

Hopefully someone gets cut from another team and they're better than Jenkins...

and another OLB that's better than Acho...

 

[Hammer]

Only hole on defense is the OLB opposite of Floyd.
Can Fangio fix it with Lynch or Acho, that will basically be the key of success on defensive side of the ball.
You can't have top defense without effective pass rush, and you can't have effective pass rush without quality OLBs.

 

[bearmick]

I’m fine with CB and would like McManis to clear way for a player with Bellamy.

McManis is an outstanding special teams player.

 

[wazzupi]

Um deiondre hall or deon bush will round out dbs deiondre being the better player imo.

 

[theOHIOSTATE!]

If Lynch can generate a decent pass rush and Floyd stays healthy, this could be a very good unit.


I like CB for now, but we'll need to drop a 1st rd pick on a young CB soon as Prince will probably only play out 2 yrs of that new contract he got.

It's also time to stop pretending like the nickel/3rd CB isn't a starter; in the modern NFL people are in the Nickel more than any other package usually.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Le blanc + Tolliver give me hope we can push CB need to 2020, with Hall/Iggy getting some looks in big nickel packages?

2019 needs to be S, T, OLB priority.

CB, RB in 2020?

 

[legendxofxlink]

Eagles had holes and not a ton of depth on defense besides pass rushers in the ‘17 offseason. The secondary was nothing great, but guys stepped up in a big way. Let’s let this play out. Unless a huge surprise falls to us, I doubt Pace makes many more moves

 

[Raskolnikov]

We could probably clear all our questions up with a few minutes with Fangs. Any you peeps have media badges?

I have a feeling it’s the few players he glows about to Pace that end up leading to what we perceive as a lack of desperation.

Jenkins, Houston-Carson, Lynch, Le Blanc.

I love that Nichols can NT a bit, but excel at DE.

Fangs will have a solid plan for this team, and if Goldman/Floyd hold up we should be good.

I think personally if you can fortify one of your pillars of defense, like literally either goes down we suck.

So sign Hankins and only cross your fingers once.

 

[Raskolnikov]

And I think I illuminated the problem with this team.

Loss of
Leno, Trubisky, Howard, Robinson, Goldman, Hicks, Floyd, Jackson

8 guys who would leave a crippling void.

I wonder how that compares around league.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Maybe Pace can get a 6th or 7th from an Acho/Timu/Bullard/Grasu/Hall/Kwiatkowski type if they are looking to move on this year.

 

[Aesopian]

Deiondre' Hall? I like him at CB or S more than LeBlanc or Deon Bush.

 

[Aesopian]

CB: Kyle Fuller, Marcus Cooper
CB: Prince Amukumara, Kevin Toliver
Nickel: Bryce Callahan, Cre'Von LeBlance
FS: Eddie Jackson, Deiondre' Hall
SS: Adrian Amos, Houston-Carson

 

[BringBackDitka54]

CB: Kyle Fuller (26), Marcus Cooper (28)
CB: Prince Amukumara (28), Kevin Toliver (22)
Nickel: Bryce Callahan (26), Cre'Von LeBlanc (23)
FS: Eddie Jackson (24), Deiondre' Hall (23)
SS: Adrian Amos (25), Houston-Carson (25)

Lotta youth in that secondary.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Oh yeah, Bush.

Nah...we keep him too. They list Hall as DB and I think he is behind Callahan at nickel.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Cooper or McManis must pave way for Tolliver. I have a feeling pre-draft signees Watford, Cooper, Cunningham, Bellamy, Sowell are under quite ALOT of roster pressure. A good thing with Cunningham an extra punt returner stash I like to keep around cuz does everything ok.