Bears 2017 Free Agents: Defense
DE Cornelius Washington – I’ve been talking Washington up for the last three seasons, so my verdict is obvious to anyone’s who has read my posts consistently. I think he has the potential to be an impact 5-technique and he showed flashes of it this season now that he’s finally healthy.
Of course, just one year of staying healthy is not a sign of future health as the Bears found out with Zach Miller this year, but like Miller, Washington is a really good player when on the field. He has the strength to set the edge verse the run and enough quickness to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Washington’s standard stats weren’t that impressive with just two sacks and 20 tackles, but his per snap pressure stats were in the top 20% in the league among five-tech defensive ends. A few injury-ravaged years may have sapped some of Washington’s athleticism but he was an elite athlete coming out of college with 4.43 speed at 265 pounds.
He proved that most of the athleticism was still there this year and he’s developed into an impact player on special teams as well. Unfortunately, he’s going into his fifth season in the league so his minimum contract is similar to Acho’s. The difference is that he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet and could still be an impact player for the Bears.
A million per year is a steep price for a player with three sacks in four years, but Washington still has the potential for more and is already an impact special teams player. The Bears have some depth on the defensive line (Bullard, Unrein), so they don’t necessarily need to keep Washington in 2017 but I still think he’s going to develop into an impact player, so I hope they do.
Verdict: Keep him
DE CJ Wilson – A late season signing, who ended up being one of the Bears most productive players the last few weeks of the season. Wilson has been a journeyman the last few years but has played well in his last few stops.
He’s only started two games the last two seasons but had a sack in each start. Wilson seems like he’s been around forever but is only 29 and has been a consistently productive and versatile defensive lineman.
Wilson’s per game grades are above-average according to PFF, but for some reason, he can’t seem to stick on anyone’s roster. Maybe there is some locker room or personality issues because he’s played well when given a chance the last three seasons. He probably won’t be back on the Bears roster next year, but they should keep him in mind if they have injury issues again.
Verdict: Let him go (but keep his phone number)
CB Johnthan Banks – Tall corner (6’2) who the Bears signed late in the season and didn’t get a chance to play until week 16. It’s surprising that Banks was even available on the waiver wire after the former 2nd round pick had seven interceptions in his first two seasons in the league (2013-2014) with the Bucs.
Banks looked like one of the best young corners in football early in his career, but he was a casualty of a regime change in Tampa and his perceived value took a hit after being released last year. He still has elite size and is just two years removed from four picks, 50 tackles, 10 pass defenses, and a pick-six in 2014, his second year in the league.
The Bears have been searching for a tall corner for the last two seasons and Banks just turned 27, so should still have plenty of good football left. The fact that he was available for a minimum deal is slightly troubling, but that also means it won’t cost much to keep him around.
There is a shortage of competent tall corners in the NFL and the fact that Banks was one just two years ago is probably enough reason to give him a shot to win a job in training camp. If Banks can find his old form again, then the Bears could have a steal… and if not it won’t cost them much to find out.
Banks was carted off the field in week 17 with an ankle injury and his health and availability could determine whether the Bears bring him back in 2017.
Verdict: Keep him (why not?)
CB Brandon Boykin – The Bears signed Boykin last offseason as secondary depth and a potential starter in the slot, but he suffered a pectoral injury on the 2nd day of training camp and was placed on injured reserve.
A former 4th round pick in 2012, Boykin was one of the best slot corners in the league in 2013 with the highest slot grade according to Pro Football Focus. In 2014, when Chip Kelly took over as the Eagles coach, Boykin was surprisingly benched for most of the season and then joined the Steelers in 2015, where he had problems with head coach Mike Tomlin as well.
Despite six interceptions and 17 pass defenses in 2013, Boykin couldn’t earn a starting gig in 2014 or 2015. He signed with the Bears late in the offseason last year and was expected to compete for the starting slot corner position before his season-ending injury.
Boykin is undersized (5’9, 183) but has excellent ball skills which is a trait the Bears desperately need right now. Unfortunately, slot corner is also their deepest position in the secondary but a combination of Boykin, Callahan, and LeBlanc could be one of the better slot corner groups in the league
With Callahan and LeBlance expected to compete for the starting job, the Bears may not want to invest any cap space in Boykin with greater needs on the outside and at safety. Though with teams running more four receiver sets than ever, the Bears may want to boost their sub-package sets with a skilled corner like Boykin.
After missing 2016 with an injury, Boykin won’t cost much and he’d be ideal insurance if Callahan gets hurt again or the Bears aren’t able to add enough impact corners in free agency or the draft.
Verdict: Keep him (if he’s willing to accept a minimum deal)