Chicago Bears: 5 biggest hidden gems of this season

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Wide receiver Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a tackle on cornerback Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chicago Bears won 16-14. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Bilal Nichols #98 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Buccaneers 48-10. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

#3: Bilal Nichols

The Bears have done a tremendous job the past couple years at stocking talent on their defensive line. It began with Eddie Goldman in 2015. Akiem Hicks joined him the next year along with Jonathan Bullard and Roy Robertson-Harris. Those men have combined for six sacks and 26 stops for no gain or a loss on the ground this season. That’s pretty good work for four games.

Now the band may be expanding. Not a lot of hoopla was made when the Bears drafted young Bilal Nichols out of Delaware in the 5th round back in spring. All people knew was he came from the same college as head coach Matt Nagy and was reportedly a favorite of team scouts. Fast forward to today and the rookie already has a sack and three tackles for loss. Not to mention a pressure that forced another sack.

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