Chicago Bears Free Agent Target: Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Yannick Ngakoue has been one of the most consistent players in the league when it comes to getting to the quarterback.
Despite only being 27 years old, Ngakoue has already played for five different teams in his young career and has been a meaningful contributor to all of them.
Since entering the league in 2016, Ngakoue has registered at least eight sacks in every season, with a career-high of 12 in 2017.
Ngakoue’s fit in Chicago isn’t hard to understand. He has a great track record of recording sacks, and the Bears are coming off a season where a rookie safety led the team in that statistic.
The hesitance to sign a player like Ngakoue would likely stem from the price tag. He may not be cheap, but at some point, the Bears have to break the bank.
Cap space is a use it or lose it construct. There is no incentive to stay under the cap. Ngakoue is young, athletic, and has been consistently durable and productive throughout his career.
A deal here would significantly improve the outlook of Chicago’s front seven. Ngakoue would demand the respect from opposing offenses that would open up opportunities for everyone else on the line, something the defense lacked last season following the Robert Quinn trade.