Throughout the month we have counted down the best players on the Chicago Bears roster. We started at 90 and we are now all the way down number 12. This list is looking at what kind of value each player will bring to the 2021 roster. This means if a player had a career year, how much would that affect the Bears’ outcome in the 2021 season?
With that in mind, we have made it to number 12 overall.
No. 12 Chicago Bears DL Bilal Nichols
Last year: 23
Bilal Nichols is rising up the rankings and for good reason. With the loss of Eddie Goldman Nichols had to play nose tackle more and was out of position but still posted a career-high in sacks, and had more pass rush prowess than Goldman ever had from that spot.
Nichols is truly ascending into a known commodity in the NFL and he is getting closer to signing a contract that is going to prove it. Some fans may not see him being a player deserving to be ranked that high, but they have not watched what this man can do in the trenches.
In fact, as Akiem Hicks ages, and Nichols ascends into his prime, a passing of the baton could be in store this season. It would be no surprise if Nichols jumps into the top 10 and is ranked where Hicks is next season.
For now, he is right outside, but a player who saw a huge jump from number 23 last season, which meant rotational starter, and turned himself into a cornerstone of the roster.
Here are players 90-13
90. Brian Johnson
89. Rojesterman Farris
88. Khalil McClain
87. Caleb Johnson
86. Sam Kamara
85. Daniel Arcibong
84. Scooter Harrington
83. Chris Lacy
82. Dionte Ruffin
81. Rodney Adams
80. Tyrone Wheatley
79. Thomas Ives
78. CJ Marable
77. Jester Weah
76. Jake Butt
75. Teez Tabor
74. LeCale London
73. Daureuan Parker
72. Michael Joseph
71. LeDarius Mack
70. Adam Redmond
69. Tre Roberson
68. Xavier Crawford
67. Badara Traore
66. Artavis Pierce
65. Ryan Nall
64. Riley Ridley
63. Patrick Scales
62. Joel Iyiegbuniwe
61. Charles Snowden
60. Dieter Eiselen
59. Artie Burns
58. Lachavious Simmons
57. Jesper Horsted
56. Arlington Hambright
55. Dazz Newsome
54. Marqui Christian
53. Josh Woods
52. Jordan Lucas
51. James Vaughters
50. DeAndre Houston-Carson
49. Austin Calitro
48. Khiyris Tonga
47. Javon Wims
46. Nick Foles
45. Thomas Graham
44. Mike Pennel
43. Trevis Gipson
42. Pat O’Donnell
41. J.P. Holtz
40. Khalil Herbert
39. Larry Borom
38. Deon Bush
37. Cairo Santos
36. Angelo Blackson
35. Elijah Wilkinson
34. Damien Williams
33. Damiere Byrd
32. Marquise Goodwin
31. Alex Bars
30. Jimmy Graham
29. Tarik Cohen
28. Anthony Miller
27. Christian Jones
26. Duke Shelley
25. Kindle Vildor
24. Desmond Trufant
23. Mario Edwards
22. Jeremiah Attaochu
21. Robert Quinn
20. Germain Ifedi
19. Eddie Goldman
18. Sam Mustipher
17. Teven Jenkins
16. Danny Trevathan
15. Cole Kmet
14. Tashaun Gipson
13. James Daniels