Grading the Bears’ signing of DL Angelo Blackson

The Bears added depth to arguably their most stable position group with the signing of DL Angelo Blackson to a two-year deal.

The Chicago Bears added depth to arguably their most stable position group with the signing of defensive lineman Angelo Blackson to a two-year deal.

A former fourth-round pick in 2015, Blackson spent his first two seasons with the Tennessee Titans before winding up with the Houston Texans in 2017. In three seasons with Houston, Blackson appeared in 40 games, including 20 starts. He started all 15 games he played in 2019, where he recorded 20 tackles.

Blackson was cut prior to the 2020 season, where he was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals. Last season, Blackson started nine games for the Cardinals, where he totaled 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks while playing in all 16 games.

Following the departures of Roy Robertson-Harris and Brent Urban in free agency, Chicago added a key defensive reserve in Blackson, who has an opportunity to find similar success, alongside the recently re-signed Mario Edwards.

Blackson surpassed expectations in Arizona last season, where he led the Cardinals’ defensive line in pressures (19) and showed up in some big games. Not unlike what we usually expect from Chicago’s reserve defensive linemen.

Now, Blackson will have a chance to do the same on a defensive line led by Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Bilal Nichols. Overall, this is a solid signing for Chicago — another productive rotational player on the defensive line who has been productive.

Grade: B

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