Chicago Bears: 15 best NFL Draft Picks of the 2010’s

Every year for the Bears, it seems as if there is one rookie that ends up bursting onto the scene as someone who was a late-round draft pick. In 2018, it was Bilal Nichols who was that player. A fifth-round pick, little seemed to be known about Nichols before he burst onto the scene with five tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits in 2018.

What’s most interesting about his 2018 season is that while he started just six games, he also played just 31 percent of the Bears snaps on defense. However, he did make the most of every opportunity that he got especially for a defensive line that featured names like Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman.

Over the next few years, Nichols will without a doubt be a major part of the Bears future. He’s under contract until 2021 and will have a major opportunity for a contract extension over the next few years because the Bears have been excellent at rewarding homegrown talent.

Although his 2019 season has been cut short due to a broken hand, when Nichols has played in 2019, he’s looked more and more comfortable in the Bears defense. The reality for Nichols is that he should be a starter on the Bears defense will into the 2020s. He’s still growing as a leader but and has undoubtedly shown major signs of growth in all areas.

While some may disagree with Nichols being on this list, as he’ll continue to get better, he’ll look like more and more of a steal. As he closes out his second season in the NFL, going into year three, it will be all about putting together what he learned in year one and year two.