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Chicago Bears: 5 most important players for long-term success of the franchise

By Dan Schmelzer

May 12, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) works out during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) works out during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jordan Howard Chicago Bears
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jordan Howard, RB

The Bears took running back Jordan Howard in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Howard entered his rookie season behind Jeremy Langford on the Bears’ depth chart but it did not take long for him to prove that he was the best option.

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Despite starting only 13 games (he appeared in 15), Howard had 252 carries for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. Howard was the second-leading rusher in the NFL last season (trailing only fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott) and his 5.21 yards per attempt was also the second-most of any back who carried the ball more than 200 times.

Howard went over 100 yards rushing seven times for the Bears last season, including having 179 carries for 961 yards (5.37 yards per attempt) and five touchdowns in his last nine games. He is an extremely powerful back who shows great ball carrier vision and change of direction quickness. Howard is an impressive running back who has an extremely bright future ahead of him.

Expect Howard to be the focal point of the Bears offense in 2017. I don’t think any of us expect Mike Glennon to instantly become a star at the quarterback position. Plus, the Bears really do not have a great cast of weapons at wide receiver nor ideal pass protection up front.

Howard should carry the rock nearly 300 times for the Bears in 2017 and we will see if he can continue to have the same kind of success he did as a rookie. If Howard continues to show big-time ability in the Bears’ backfield, he will undoubtedly be one of their most important players going forward.

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