Bear Digest

Safety a Secondary Bears Concern

It's not a primary concern for the Bears this year if they bring back free agent DeAndre Houston-Carson for depth but they could still look at safety in the draft for depth.

Gene Chamberlain

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Eddie Jackson and rookie Jalen Brisker drew high praise throughout the season from coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams.

Jackson was winner of the team's first Ballhawk Award with four interceptions.

However, both missed chunks of the season. Jackson's year ended after 12 games with a Lisfranc injury and Brisker missed two games with a concussion.

It probably shouldn't be a surprise the entire Bears secondary ended up missing parts of the season considering how often they got called upon to play physical football to support a collapsing defensive front.

What was evident about safety, though, was a lack of depth. Dane Cruikshank spent much of the year with hamstring problems and seventh-round pick Elijah Hicks wound up with 168 plays as a seventh-round rookie. Hicks' struggled a bit with coverage.

DeAndre Houston-Carson was their depth at safety but is now a free agent again, as he always seems to be.

So it would not be surprising if the Bears looked at safety in the draft with an eye on their future.

Here's what they'll find there.

Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M 

Rangy with range is the way to describe this East St. Louis native. His size for a safety at 6-3, 190, is lauded by NFL Draft Bible but maybe his ability by a physical player is even more appreciated by scouts.

"In fact, his lasting legacy at Texas A&M will likely be some of the legendary hits he has delivered during his time in College Station," NFLDB wrote

Johnson has a second-round grade. He came up with four forced fumbles, seven pass breakups, an interception and 164 tackles.

Brian Branch, Alabama  

NFL Draft Bible says he "projects as a nickel cornerback and man-to-man specialist" early before becoming a full-time starter as a rookie. That's because he is such a standout in man-to-man coverage he might be able to get on the field on third downs before playing full time. They give the 5-11, 190-pounder a second-round grade. Branch only split time with Malachi Moore last year as the Tide was so loaded in the secondary. He had 23 pass breakups, three interceptions and deployed all over the field he made 14 sacks last year and 19 1/2 for his career. He also had 172 tackles.

Christopher Smith, Georgia

A versatile coverage safety at 5-11, 190 who NFLDB says is good enough in coverage that even at his level of experience is able to "bait" quarterbacks. He still needs to learn not to get caught looking too much at the quarterback, reports suggest. Projected as a possible first rounder or a second-round pick by NFLDB. Had 10 pass breakups, six interceptions and 132 tackles.

Jordan Battle, Alabama

Physically suited to playing in the box at 6-foot, 210, but he has the speed to cover and blitz. Battle is one of three Crimson Tide safeties who rated in the top seven in this draft according to NFLDB. He's regarded as at his best in short zone coverage. Broke up 10 passes with six interceptions and three TD returns. He made 252 tackles.

JL Skinner, Boise State

Built almost like a linebacker at 6-3 1/2, 218, he is said to have enough speed to play deep or short zones but that will be determined at the combine. Scouts enjoy the urgency he has in driving upfield to stop the run or short zones. At his size and speed he is able to render tight ends invisible in the passing game. He's probably not a single-high safety. NFLDB rates him as a second-round pick. Had seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, three recoveries, 12 pass breakups and 208 tackles.

Ronnie Hickman Ohio State

To some, he might be the best safety in the draft because of his high motor and great quickness to go with a scrappy attitude. At 6-1, 205, he has ideal safety size and speed looks to be sufficient for playing single-high coverage. A real field general running the secondary, given second-round grade by NFLDB. He made three interceptions and seven pass breakups with 157 tackles, mostly in the final two of three seasons.

Malachi Moore, Alabama

The third Crimson safety who split time, at 5-11 1/2, 190, the question over his abilities needing to be answered is speed. NFL Draft Network recommended he gain weight and become a safety. He covers both in man and zone without real flaws and makes up for speed concerns if there are any by being very instinctive. Made four interceptions, 12 pass breakups and 91 tackles.

Jalen Catalon Arkansas

A 5-9 1/2, 189-pounder who NFLDB says "plays extremely fast and can lay the lumber." Scouts say he was best in zone and needs tackling technique improvement. Despite that, they see him as a possible box safety or even slot corner who could be a blitzer. Second-round grade from NFLDB who made five interceptions, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 159 tackles.

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Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame

A Northwestern transfer who played strong safety for the Irish and excelled covering tight ends. He can play deep but has too many flaws to overcome to be there permanently in the NFL. Given a third-round grade, he made 10 career interceptions, nine for the Wildcats. Also made seven pass breakups and 159 tackles.

Jammie Robinson, Florida State

Excellent ball skills and sufficient size at 5-10, 197. This South Carolina transfer is said to be far more experienced in zuyone coverage and comfortable there. "His skill set is very comparable to Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer. Has a fourth-round NFLDB grade and made seven interceptions, 16 pass breakups and three forced fumbles with 318 tackles.

Tykee Smith, Georgia

Played as much or more slot cornerback than safety at West Virginia before transferring and has very strong man-to-man coverage skills. At 5-9 1/2, 198 he's perceived more as a safety than corner. NFLDB fixes a second-round grade to him. He made four interceptions, all at West Virginia, and had 10 pass breakups with two forced fumbles and 142 tackles.

Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern

A 6-foot, 195-pounder with above average speed who can play numerous positions and displayed ball skills at all of them. He ranks a second-round safety according to Walterfootball.com. Made two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two recoveries and 18 pass breakups.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

BearDigest.com publisher Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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