Chicago Bears: 5 bold predictions going into training camp
Bold prediction number three: Bilah Nichols moves past Jonathan Bullard on the depth chart
For some players on the roster, the upcoming 2018 season could be a now-or-never type of campaign. Based off some of the personnel moves, it’s not that hard to single out who has the pressure on them. Jonathan Bullard is entering his third year in the league and has yet to have the impact fans expected.
He will be embroiled in a camp competition with fellow teammate Roy Robertson-Harris, who could be the favorite to win that spot. Robertson-Harris winning the starting defensive end spot wouldn’t shock most. However, there’s a good chance fifth-round pick Bilal Nichols outplays Bullard throughout camp and pass him on the depth chart.
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Nichols at 6-foot-4, 306 pounds is a bigger and stronger player and fits the system as your ideal five-technique compared to Bullard. Bullard came into the league as a tweener who is more a fit as a penetrating three-technique.
Nichols still has a lot to prove, but he has more upside than Bullard did coming out of Florida. I fully expect Nichols to surprise some fans throughout training camp and preseason. It will likely come at the expense of Bullard falling down the depth chart.