Is a seven sack season a fair projection for Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks?
Mike Clay of ESPN.com made projections for the Chicago Bears in 2018. He has Akiem Hicks slated for a seven sack season. Is this a fair projection?
It is fair to say that the Chicago Bears pass rush is likely their biggest flaw heading into the 2018 season. However, that issues falls more on the edge group than the interior pass rush. In the middle, Akiem Hicks eats.
Over the past two seasons Hicks has put up 15.5 sacks. That includes a career high 8.5 last season. It is clear that Hicks has found a fit in this scheme and that it is working out well for him.
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So, the question is why would this production stop? He is not going to see any decrease in snap rate. His snap count is high for defensive ends, but is not overly high, falling right outside of the top five in snaps played by a defensive lineman.
What is nice for Hicks is that his running mate Eddie Goldman is less concerned about sacks. His job is to clean up the mess in the middle which frees paths for Akiem Hicks.
Goldman was healthy and strong for a full season and it really showed in the statistical projection for Hicks. On top of that Roy Robertson-Harris and Jonathan Bullard are candidates to step up and the team drafted Bilal Nichols in round four.
They have some young engines to consistently keep Hicks fresh and clean. It feels as though Hicks should be in a similar spot with the same amount of opportunities. A 7-8 sack would be just about expected for Akiem Hicks.