Chicago Bears: Eddie Jackson already turning into a star at safety

The Chicago Bears may have pulled off the steal of this year’s draft in Eddie Jackson, who’s starring at safety.

From the moment the Chicago Bears took Eddie Jackson in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, I thought they were getting a really good football player: one that could reverse some of the bad fortunes at a position that has haunted the Bears since the mid-2000s.

And while some thought he might just be a return man to start the season, I saw the potential for him to start immediately at free safety.

Not only did he seize that job in training camp, but he’s absolutely excelling at it in his rookie season. He might not have the stats to show for it yet, but Jackson’s already becoming one of the best young safeties in the league.

We already knew about his smarts, instincts and ability to cover the pass. And to be sure, those qualities helped him start immediately and have fit surprisingly well alongside Adrian Amos in Quintin Demps‘ absence.

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But his continuing evolution into a complete player is turning him from a solid starter into a guy who could quickly become elite.

When’s the last time you said that about a Chicago Bears safety?Let’s look at a few plays that stood out from last Sunday’s win against the Baltimore Ravens to illustrate that.

Let’s look at a few plays that stood out from his last couple of games to illustrate just why Jackson’s rookie year has been so impressive.