Chicago Bears: Predicting the entire starting secondary

Cornerback: Marcus Cooper

When it comes down to it, many players will likely get a chance to play outside cornerback for the Bears in 2017. Kyle Fuller and Deiondre’ Hall will undoubtedly be in the mix and Johnathan Banks easily could be as well. However, the most likely scenario is that Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper take over the starting jobs.

Cooper was also added to the Bears in free agency, signing a three-year, $16 million contract with the team this offseason. He joins the Bears after enjoying a breakout season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, piling up 69 total tackles and four interceptions. Cooper was forced into action with the Cardinals after many injuries, but he ended up being one of their most reliable defensive players.

Cooper is listed at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds. He has great natural size for the cornerback position, but most importantly, has fantastic length. Cooper has extremely long arms that he can use well in coverage. His long arms help him jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and make plays on the ball.

Out of all the defensive backs the Bears added in free agency this offseason, Cooper has the most natural upside. He is a perfect fit for Fangio’s defense because he can jam at the line of scrimmage and is not afraid to come up and support against the run.

If Cooper can continue to improve like he did last season, he has legitimate number one cornerback upside. In Chicago, he should get plenty of opportunities to prove himself and will be playing under one of the best defensive coordinators in the business. Marcus Cooper is undoubtedly a Bears’ player to watch in 2017.