Which Bears players are primed to breakout in 2017?
Despite coming off of a three-win season and potentially redshirting their future franchise quarterback, there is a lot to be excited about with football season right around the corner. The Bears have a young team, and a new direction entering the 2017 season. Plus, there always those players who surprise and play above their expectations, making the season much more enjoyable. Who are the players who could take bigger leaps than expected?
5. CreVon LeBlanc
LeBlanc was an undrafted free agent who spent training camp with the Patriots in 2016. He signed with the Bears in week one and wound up starting nine games and being active for 13. LeBlanc had some downs, that is for sure, but he also showed some real positives as he got more playing time.
The Bears used him in a variety of places, and he and Prince Amukamara would likely bounce back and forth between outside and the slot based on the matchups. A lot of people are looking for Amukamara or the signing of Marcus Cooper and the re-emergence of Kyle Fuller being why the secondary could improve. However, LeBlanc has the most experience in the defense of all three and had the second best season in 2016 according to Pro Football Focus.
This is a player who worked his way into a starting job last season and entering his second season a step forward should be expected. LeBlanc could take a bigger step than expected, be a legitimate starter, and help lead a secondary as it improves dramatically as a unit. It is not out of the realm of possibilities that we end 2017 thinking LeBlanc is the top cornerback on the roster.
4. Nick Kwiatkowski
Kwiatkowski is a fourth rounder entering year two in the Bears defense. Last year he started seven games and was active for 14. When Danny Trevathan was out with injury, and Jerrell Freeman out with the suspension it was the rookie stepping into the hole and filling it admirably.
Vic Fangio inherited Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman as the defensive coordinator of the 49ers. By immediately going out and signing Trevathan and Freeman it is clear that Fangio learned defenses need to be built up in the middle. With Danny Trevathan unlikely to start the season with an injury the door is wide open for Kwiatkowski to be an impact player for an extended period.
Fangio did draft a third round player in Chris Borland who put up 107 tackles in his rookie year with the 49ers. Kwiatkowski could have a similar story as he enters the season knowing he has a chance to make an impact as a starter.
The timetable for Trevathan to return is completely up in the air, and most players are never back to 100% when dealing with the serious nature of his particular injury. Kwiatkowski can take over as the starting inside linebacker for the Bears moving forward, and he may be able to earn the Bears in that role.
3. Jonathan Bullard
When the Bears drafted Bullard in the third round it looked like the player was a steal. His highlight tape is full of him blowing up lines and moving with speed, burst, and power. However, his rookie year showed a player who struggled to understand plays and maintain gaps. Bullard was consistently looking to blow up plays, and find his way into the backfield, but it cost him more than it helped.
He spent most of his rookie year in a rotation behind players such as Mitch Unrein, and Cornelius Washington. The Bears even signed Jaye Howard this offseason, so they would not have to rely on Bullard. However, they would be all for Bullard taking a big step and earning a starting spot on the defensive line next season.
Bullard is versatile and can play up and down the line. There is a lot the team can do if he can put together a complete season. With Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks already in the mix, this line could create serious pressure, and it would make the lives of their pass rushing linebackers much easier. Bullard has the tools to get there, and if he can put all the pieces together in year two he has a chance to be a starter by the end of the year.
2. Eddie Goldman
Some people know what Eddie Goldman can do, but they just have the taste. Most of the football world has never been exposed to Goldman, though. When healthy, Goldman is an absolute problem. He is a nose tackle who put up 4.5 sacks as a rookie. He also brings a strong run stopping presence, and when he puts it together, it is a great package.
However, his second season saw five starts, and some of them were fighting through injury starts. He was not the same player at all, and the hype train of Goldman had stopped. However, there is no reason to assume he will remain an injury risk, and when he can get on the field people will take notice.
As mentioned, Jaye Howard has been added and Jonathan Bullard has the chances to make a bigger impact. With Goldman taking a step forward like nothing bad happened in 2016 would really make this a feared defense. As the Bears start to become a hot team late into the season people will start to recognize the name Eddie Goldman, and will be reciting his sack total as to why the Bears are a sleeper in the 2018 season.
1. Leonard Floyd
Floyd is the ultimate breakout candidate. And I know, some will say “he already broke out, he is a top ten pick and had seven sacks.” This is a different type of break out. When talking about a pass rusher, you are talking about a true difference maker, and Floyd can be that in 2017.
Physically, all of the pieces are there for Floyd. He has the size, explosiveness, strength and finesse to put up an All-Pro type of season. It would take a major increase in sacks, but he has what it takes. If the defensive front gets better, which it very well could it will only easier for Floyd. Khalil Mack, a top ten pick went from four to 15 sacks in his second season. Vic Beasley went from four to 15.5 from year one to two. Is Floyd the third pass rusher in a row to take that big leap in the next year. Keep in mind he had three more sacks as a rookie than these studs.
Next: Bears offensive line ranked top 5
Floyd has the ceiling to not only be the best player on the defense next season but to also rival some of the best overall defensive players in the league.