Kyle Fuller Listed as One of NFL.com’s Top Ten Free Agents
With the official start of the 2018 NFL season approaching, the Chicago Bears are quickly making room on the roster for some better talent. The franchise has already released safety Quintin Demps, and linebackers Pernell McPhee and Jerrell Freeman. All of these players were noteworthy starters at some point during the 2017 season, and now they will be looking to get that same opportunity with another team. However, there is one player who the Bears should strongly consider keeping in the Windy City.
Cornerback Kyle Fuller will enter the 2018 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. The 2014 first-round pick is coming off of his best season as a pro. Although Fuller finished the 2017 campaign with just two interceptions, he did lead the league with 22 passes defensed (according to Pro Football Focus). As a result, NFL.com has ranked Fuller as the 10th best free agent heading into the offseason, and the top-ranked free agent cornerback.
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Along with Fuller, fellow Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara is also on NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents of 2018 (ranked 48th). In addition, cornerbacks Sherrick McManis and Bryce Callahan are also free agents. That leaves Marcus Cooper Sr., Cre’Von LeBlanc, and Deiondre’ Hall as the only cornerbacks with significant playing time that are under contract.
Clearly, Fuller was one of the few bright spots for the Bears during their dreadful 5-11 season. Furthermore, the Virginia Tech product has proved to Chicago that he’s worth re-signing after general manager Ryan Pace opted to not exercise the fifth-year option on Fuller’s rookie contract.
Other notable cornerbacks that will be floating in the free-agent pool this offseason are Trumaine Johnson (Los Angeles Rams) and Bashaud Breeland (Washington Redskins). But, another great addition to the Bears’ secondary would be New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler. The potential tandem of Fuller and Butler could strengthen there already solid defense.
Regardless of whoever Chicago decides to ink a deal with during free agency, keeping Fuller will be a vital in helping improve their seventh-ranked pass defense from last year, and overall making their defensive unit one of the best in the NFL.