Chicago Bears Offseason Stock Watch: Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Where does the stock stand on the Chicago Bears second-year inside linebacker?
Joel Iyiegbuniwe was a surprise pick in the fourth round from Western Kentucky. However, digging into profile it seems as though he has a chance to get on the field right away due to special teams ability.
Iggy did just that. He was able to step up the depth chart as Roquan Smith held out. He did not get starters snaps but saw more work than he typically would have. That saw him make the roster with ease.
From there, he showed up as a special teams ace. Iggy was a strong gunner which got him a helmet consistently. Entering year two, the idea is that he can take a step forward.
Nick Kwiatoski is still ahead of Iggy on the depth chart, but he only has one season left before entering free agency. With starter experience, the Bears may listen to trade offers this offseason, which would push Iggy into the linebacker three role.
The team did not add much depth around him, which shows that he is entrenched on the roster. The Bears are clearly happy with his development are potentially going to bump him up the totem pole if the tides turn in his direction.
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There is no way to look at Joel Iyiegbuniwe without saying that his stock is going to be on the rise. The Bears are happy with his development and with a strong step forward, he could be a special teams ace who contributes in specific situations. He also can be entrenched for years to come.