Chicago Bears: Predicting the entire starting secondary
Free Safety: Eddie Jackson
Barring injury, I am confident that Demps will be starting at safety for the Bears throughout 2017. However, the competition for his running mate is completely in the air.
The incumbent Adrian Amos is probably the most likely starting safety, but I would like to see the Bears go with a bit more upside. Amos is a solid player, but he is an average starting safety at best. He is probably best suited as a third safety for the Chicago Bears.
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Deon Bush, Deiondre’ Hall (if he makes a switch to safety), DeAndre Houston-Carson and Harold Jones-Quartey will also be in the mix, but I am going with the rookie here.
Eddie Jackson is a converted cornerback who became a massive playmaker for the University of Alabama the past two seasons. Jackson is not much of an in-the-box player but he has fantastic natural coverage skills that allow him to make a consistent impact against opposing passing attacks. He shows great range on the back-end and fantastic overall ball skills.
Jackson has a nose for the football and has elite upside as a coverage safety in the NFL. He is still coming back from a broken leg suffered last season in college, but Jackson is expected to be back for the start of training camp.
When it comes down to it, the Bears should be looking to unlock some upside on their roster. Amos is a nice player, but Jackson undoubtedly has more long-term potential value to this organization. As long as his leg looks strong in camp, Jackson should get every opportunity to prove himself as a starting safety.