Predicting the Chicago Bears stars of the preseason

4. Prince Amukamara

Prince Amukamara is not an elite NFL cornerback. However, when healthy he is a very good number two. And when compared to what the Bears have had at cornerback in recent years, he looks like Deion Sanders.

The Chicago Bears have assembled an impressive amount of young talent in their defensive front seven. Led by Akiem Hicks, Jerrell Freeman and Leonard Floyd, that group has a chance to lead them to become a dominant defensive unit. However, in order for that to happen, the Bears need to get much better production out of the secondary.

The entire defensive backfield was a mess last season and the Bears worked hard to improve the unit over the offseason. They signed Amukamara, Marcus Cooper at the cornerback position and safety Quintin Demps in free agency. All three are expected to be starters in 2017 and are significant upgrades over the players who they are replacing.

Amukamara has particularly stood out as a playmaker in training camp. Reporters and coaches haves raved about his ability to stick with receivers and his impressive ball skills. The Bears signed Amukamara to a one-year contract worth $7 million over the offseason. That is not bad money for a free agent cornerback, but it was the second offseason in a row that the former first round pick had to settle for a one-year deal.

In order to get some long-term security, Amukamara has to stay healthy and make a significant impact for the Bears in 2017. Especially when compared to what we are used to, I think Amukamara is primed for a breakout season.

I doubt that we see too much of him in the preseason. Amukamara appears to be their number one cornerback at the moment. That being said, when we do see him on the field, I expect him to shine. Amukamara is a talented player who fits the Bears defense well and has a lot to prove. I expect him to have a big 2017 season and that will start with a dominant four game stretch in the preseason.