Chicago Bears: 3 prospects to watch in 2018

Deandre Baker — Cornerback, Georgia

In recent years, the Chicago Bears have used the University of Georgia as their minor league system. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but Pace has selected three Bulldogs in the last three years. That trend could continue with the selection of cornerback Deandre Baker.

During the offseason, the Chicago Bears re-signed Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller to three and four-year deals, respectively. However, Amukamara will be twenty-nine years old at the start of the season. Therefore, the Bears would be smart to invest in a cornerback — particularly one who is a shutdown corner like Baker.

While he may be a little undersized for a prototypical Vic Fangio cornerback (5-foot-11, 180 pounds), he is exactly what the Bears need in their defensive backfield. First and foremost, he’s a playmaker. He finished the 2017 season with three interceptions, including one in the National Championship Game against Alabama.

When he’s not intercepting the ball, he still seems to have a knack for the football. His tape reveals a corner who shadows his wide receiver. In addition to his three interceptions, he had another nine pass break-ups. His opponents rarely get much separation from him. Although he is not a physically-imposing corner, he is strong enough and is not afraid of contact.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the Bears could desperately use a playmaker in the defensive backfield. They need someone who can take the ball away to either flip the field and/or change the momentum of a game. Baker is that player, and as arguably the top corner in the draft, he is projected to be available in the mid-to-late first round.