The Chicago Bears drafted Jaquan Brisker with their second-round pick, 48th overall. The consensus opinion from fans appears to be that they are excited about Brisker the talent but disappointed in the position that the team chose. Still, it is obvious that the Bears stuck to their board instead of reaching for someone just because of need.
With that in mind, we have to grade the player and not the thought of what else could have been. What are the most important things to know about safety Jaquan Brisker?
5. Jaquan Brisker Snaps and alignment
Brisker has been at Penn State for the past three years and has made 21 starts in that span. He wound up playing 1,744 snaps during his career for the Nittany Lions. That includes 742 against the run and 1,002 snaps in coverage.
As a safety, Brisker does move all around the backend. Still, at Penn State, he was much more of a box safety than anything else. He spent 59% of his snaps in the box with 20% of his snaps in the deep field role, and 20% of his snaps in the slot.
Considering his snaps in the slot could possibly be considered the box as well in situations where he was flexed out, it is easy to say what role he will have with the Chicago Bears.
Jaquan Brisker is going to be a box safety. That is best for the Bears because Eddie Jackson is at his best the further away from the box that he can play. The Bears had so many injuries last season that Jackson was in the box far more than he is comfortable with and it led to his worst season by far.
Now, they will get him back to where he is comfortable and it should be a huge win for the Chicago Bears.