More sacks in 2019: Eddie Goldman vs. Bilal Nichols

Who would you pick to have more sacks in 2019 between Bilal Nichols and Eddie Goldman?

Last season, the emergence of Bilal Nichols was pleasant but unexpected. Nichols had upside sure, but not many saw him contributing in the ways that he did throughout his rookie season. So, with even more potential in his profile, the thought is that the year two defensive lineman can take yet another step forward.

Of course, the opportunity would have to present itself. Nichols may still ascend, but he is currently behind Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman in the defensive lineman pecking order. Sure, the Bears will start three defensive linemen in their base defense.

However, this is a nickel NFL, and most teams run nickel more than base to defend the pass-happy NFL. Last season Akiem Hicks played 780 snaps, Eddie Goldman played 552, and Nichols played 328.

What is interesting to note is that despite 224 less snaps than Goldman, the rookie tied the veteran in sacks last season. Both recorded three sacks. According to Mike Clay, who does the fantasy projections at ESPN, we may be in store for similar production from the two this season as well.

Clay has given Nichols 2.3 sacks in his projection while Goldman is responsible for 2.7.  Combined they are set to record five, one. less than last season.

Also worth noting he has Goldman losing four snaps, but Nichols playing 76 more snaps than a season ago. Most of those snaps came from Roy Robertson-Harris and Jonathan Bullard losing snaps. This tends to make sense as the Bears will still primarily play nickel, but since Goldman and Nichols are not full-time players, they can get the brunt of the rotational work, leaving less for Robertson-Harris and Bullard-especially Bullard.

So, Nichols showed in year one that his upside is higher than expected and that he is only ascending. He is going to see more snaps in more high leverage situations. On top of that, he is more efficient when it comes to sacks than Goldman.

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This is to no fault of Goldman, his role is different. Goldman will always be a plugger, a run stuffer first. The sacks are great but his ability to take up blocks helps create more sacks for Akiem Hicks.

Does this mean Goldman will create more sacks for Nichols this year as well? It should.

Eddie Goldman has been in the NFL for four seasons and has 11.5. sacks, averaging about 2.8 per year. He is who he is as a pass rusher, and Clay is right on the money saying that he surely will get two sacks, but most likely will max out at three.

However, while Goldman dropped from 4.5 sacks as a rookie to just 2.5 the following season, we should expect more of a jump for Nichols. He has much more burst and upfield penetration abilities than Goldman. When he plays with Goldman it will be Nichols rushing while Goldman cleans up and takes on blockers.

Nichols is going to see the field more than last year, with more experience than last year in a role suited for him to get more sacks than last year. Clay has the dup dropping from 6 sacks last year to five. While he may be on with Eddie Goldman, the Bears should see more sacks from Bilal Nichols. Expect Nichols to record a sack or two more than Goldman, and give the Bears a boost from last year.