Defensive Line, 6, Jaye Howard, Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, Jonathan Bullard, Mitch Unrein, John Jenkins
The Bears have their three hopeful starters in Hicks, Goldman, and Howard. However, in the case of Howard and Hicks, both have some big injury questions. If an injury were to strike, the hope is that the next player to step up would be Bullard. Bullard spent his rookie year learning and playing behind players such as C.J. Wilson and Mitch Unrein.
However, in year two it is time for the third round pick to step up and become the fourth player in this rotation. Unrein should be able to stick around as a versatile weapon who has experience and familiarity in the scheme. Wilson, however, may be battling for his job. The team brought in John Jenkins, and he profiles much more as a nose tackle and an Eddie Goldman backup than any other player on the roster. Unrein and Wilson played some nose last year, but that was due to desperation. The team signed Jenkins so that would not have to happen.