Chicago Bears: 5 draft names who could be next Eddie Jackson
By Erik Lambert
Back in 2017, the Chicago Bears took a calculated risk early on the third day of the NFL draft when they traded up to select Alabama safety Eddie Jackson.
A big part of why some were skeptical of the move was because Jackson was still recovering from a broken leg he’d suffered the previous year. There were legitimate questions about whether he had the durability to handle the pro level and its physicality. People were sold on his talent. He had elite ball skills and tremendous athleticism. None of it mattered though if he couldn’t stay on the field. Chicago didn’t care. They took the risk.
Two years later and Jackson has established himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL. He earned All-Pro honors in 2018 with six interceptions including two returned for touchdowns as Chicago boasted the best defense in football. It was a major feather in the cap moment for GM Ryan Pace, signaling again that his eye for talent and willingness to be aggressive could pay off huge in the right circumstances.
This brings up an important question. With no 1st or 2nd round picks, is there another potential Jackson out there for the Bears to swipe? Here are five names with a top of the line talent that, like Eddie, have injury concerns surrounding them.
Jeffery Simmons (DT, Mississippi State)
Simmons actually comes with two red flags. The most recent is the unfortunate turn of events that saw him tear his ACL while training for the draft. This means he will likely miss the entire 2019 season. Add in the fact he was arrested for assault charges on a woman coming out of high school, something he was caught on video doing, and it creates a big dilemma. There is no question that’s a lot of baggage for a team to take on.
That said, Simmons kept his nose clean all throughout college and during that time became a dominant force in the interior. He only had two sacks this past season but he had 18 tackles for a loss. His power in both the upper and lower body is upper echelon and he has the capability to physically dominate offensive linemen as few can. Don’t forget Akiem Hicks is approaching his 30s. This is certainly a long-term move that could pay off huge.