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Twenty Questions Heading into Training Camp: 2. Is Adrian Amos elite?

By Bill Zimmerman

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 15: Strong Safety Adrian Amos
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 15: Strong Safety Adrian Amos /
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Our second of twenty questions: Is Adrian Amos elite?

One of the bigger debates on Chicago Bears’ Twitter this offseason has been just exactly how good is Adrian Amos? The Bears’ safety had his best season as a pro last year and thanks to some grading by PFF, he garnered some national attention (at least on social media) as one of the top safeties in the league. Is that accurate?

For the purpose of this article, we are going to ignore that Amos was a fifth round pick and that he struggled in year two to the point that the Bears signed Quintin Demps to start thinking Amos wouldn’t be able to shoulder the load. Let’s just examine who Amos is, what he brings to the table and if those pieces make him a great safety.

According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), Amos scored a grade of 92.0 for the season last year. That put him in their “elite” category (the highest one) and placed him on PFF’s All-Pro team. That’s pretty remarkable for the Bears’ third year safety. PFF’s grading system is based on the idea of- did you do your job each play? That doesn’t mean you had to make the tackle or create a turnover, but if you were in the right place at the right time and if the play called on you to make the play, did you make it?

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What Amos’ grade proves is that he’s no doubt a solid safety. He does what he’s asked to do. He’s a smart player that knows the defensive scheme well and knows exactly what he’s supposed to do based on what the offense executes. That shouldn’t be underestimated.

But what makes a great player? A great player is a difference maker. He’s someone who makes plays that pivot the momentum of a game. Whether that means a sack, an interception, a defensive touchdown, a key fumble, perhaps even an incredible pass defended. Great players make plays.

Amos’ body of work shows a steady player, but not a remarkable one. Last year, Amos recorded the first interception of his career. He made it count, going 90 yards and taking it to the house, but one interception over 40 games started is not good. He’s also forced 3 fumbles, recovered 2 of them, recorded one sack and had 10 passes defended.

While this exercise won’t work out perfectly, let’s add those up as “big plays.” Amos has had 18 big plays in three seasons and eight last year (1 INT, 1 TD, 3 PDs, 2 FF and 1 FR). Let’s compare that to some of the other top safeties in the league.

Landon Collins had 11 big plays last year and 46 in three seasons. Earl Thomas had 10 in 2017 and 39 in the past three seasons. Harrison Smith had 19 big plays last year and 33 over the last three years. Kevin Beard didn’t have enough of a sample size prior to last season, but last season he had 26 big plays. Seeing a difference?

Even in Amos’ best season as a pro, he falls way short as to what some of the other top safeties do to impact a game. Yes, Amos is steady, and every defense needs those type of players. But players that you should invest in, need to make a bigger impact on the game then just “doing their job.”

Next: Twenty Questions: Will Jordan Howard's Role be Reduced?

Amos only has one season left on his current rookie deal and the Bears will have to make the decision as to whether or not to keep him long-term. If he continues to play steadily but without the spectacular play, the Bears are only going to keep him at a very reasonable rate.

Players like Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Leonard Floyd, Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller all should have bigger impacts on the defense than Amos. If Amos is “elite” and only the eighth best player on the Bears’ defense, this squad is going to be better than the ’85 Bears.

More likely, what it means is that Amos is solid, you could even call him good, but he’s not great, and he’s certainly not elite.

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