Chicago Bears 2021 Free Agency: Top five safety targets
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears top free agency safety targets: Keanu Neal
Now is where we start to get into the guys who may be a little more on the pricy side. The Atlanta Falcons selected safety Keanu Neal in the first round back in 2016 out of Florida.
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Over his first two seasons in Atlanta, Neal tallied a whopping 222 total tackles, 14 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. This kid was on track to become one of the greats in this league. He even made the Pro Bowl in 2017 after his second season.
The next two years, though, were a different story. Neal missed 15 games in 2018 with an ACL tear and 13 games the next season after tearing his Achilles. It was a brutal two-year stretch for the former Gator.
However, he bounced back last season, starting 14 games and finishing with 100 total tackles and a career-high nine for a loss.
Neal is a physical player. He would definitely fit in with this Bears defense.He’s the type of guy the Bears would love to have if his health was guaranteed. But, Neal is an obvious risk because of his history in that area.
If the Bears could land Neal for an average of $5 or $6 million per year, and on a two or three-year deal that’s team friendly, then they should do it.