Ranking the Room: NFC North Interior DL

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 12: Akiem Hicks
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 12: Akiem Hicks /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29:
#96 of the Chicago Bears on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Bears 20-12. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)” /> /

1. Chicago Bears: Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Jonathan Bullard, Roy Robertson-Harris, Bilal Nichols, John Jenkins

After finishing in last place in our rankings on the edge, the Chicago Bears bring in the deepest, most complete defensive line. This starts with Hicks. It could be debatable, but over the past two seasons, Hicks has been the best interior defender in the division. He has not seen the national recognition, but last season could have very easily been an All-Pro candidate.

More from Bear Goggles On

Beside him is Eddie Goldman. Goldman, like Clark, is more of a nose tackle who can help clear the way for a rusher such as Hicks. However, Goldman can add some pass rush as well, with eight career sacks. He is entering year four and is coming off of his first full healthy season. This could be a true elite duo.

On top of that, the team is looking to get big steps forward from Roy Robertson-Harris and Jonathan Bullard. Both have been growing in the past two seasons and the duo pushed out Mitch Unrein by the end of last season. Robertson-Harris is a former edge who can with his hands and Bullard is an interior punisher who can spring off of the football.

The team added Bilal Nichols in round four. As a fifth defensive lineman, he should come in with as much expectation as a player such as Dean Lowry or Jalyn Holmes. And lastly is John Jenkins, a veteran presence who keeps it all together. The Chicago Bears have the top interior player in the division. On top of that, they have strong enough middle talent and depth to hold down the top spot in the division overall.