5 Chicago Bears impacted most by Akiem Hicks injury

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: Roy Robertson-Harris #95 of the Chicago Bears celebrates sacking Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (not pictured) during the first quarter in the game at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Roquan Smith #58 of the Chicago Bears reacts after recording a sack during the second quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09:. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

3. Roquan Smith

Hicks does not only affect the “next man up” mentality. He is going to impact the entire defense. One player who is going to have to step up in the same way as the depth on the defensive line is Roquan Smith.

Smith was a former top 10 pick and has been and down this season for a variety of reasons. However, is a big season for him as the team slowly transitions from Danny Trevathan to Smith as the play-caller.

Smith has been a menace tackling the run, but he is a player who will miss Hicks more than most. Hicks taking up blocks in the run frees up alleys for Smith to roam clean, away from lineman. He is a bit smaller but has great speed, and instincts. When Smith hits the right gap, and is clean, he is a playmaker.

If Williams and Robertson-Harris do not take up blocks the way that Hicks can, lineman will get their hands on Smith more. Before the draft, his biggest question came down to disengaging from lineman. This will not be talked about, but the performance of Smith will be huge without Hicks.

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