Tag: Cody Whitehair

5 most underrated Bears players on the 2020 roster

There are some players that don’t get a ton of recognition but are effective contributors. Let’s take a look at five of those Bears.

When you think of the Chicago Bears, there are several names that spring to mind. Khalil Mack. Allen Robinson, Akiem Hicks. Eddie Jackson. Even Mitchell Trubisky.

But there are some players that don’t get recognition, be it nationally or locally, that are effective contributors, be it as starters or reserves.

With the Bears determined to rebound following a disappointing 2019 campaign, there are several of these players that figure to be integral to the success of the team in 2020.

Let’s take a look at five of the most underrated players on this Bears roster:

1. NT Eddie Goldman

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

This one is pretty obvious, but nose tackle Eddie Goldman remains one of the most underrated players on the Bears and also the entire NFL. While most of the attention with the Bears’ front seven goes to Khalil Mack or Akiem Hicks, Goldman does a lot of the dirty work in the trenches for Chicago. Goldman is a force up the middle, a great run stopper and can get after the quarterback. He’s a big reason why Chicago’s front seven is one of the most dominant in the NFL.

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WATCH: Mitchell Trubisky works with Bears skill position players in on-field workout

This offseason, QB Mitchell Trubisky has been leading on-field workouts with Bears skill position players in the area. See highlights here.

This offseason, NFL players have had to find unique ways to stay in shape and get some work in due to an entirely virtual offseason amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Bears head coach Matt Nagy ended the team’s offseason program a week and a half early so that players could take the time to train between now and the start of training camp next month.

This offseason, we’ve heard about Mitchell Trubisky leading on-field workouts with Bears skill position players that are in the Chicago area, including receiver Allen Robinson, running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen and tight ends Demetrius Harris and Cole Kmet.

Following a disappointing outing on offense, these sessions have been focusing on perfecting routes and fine-tuning things before they can hit the field and practice against their defense in camp.

One of Montgomery’s friends George Gaza shared a video of one of those workout sessions, which featured Trubisky, Robinson, Montgomery, Kmet, center Cody Whitehair and tight end Eric Saubert.

Take a look at what Trubisky, Robinson, Montgomery, Kmet, Saubert and more have been up to during this offseason.

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Who is the most underrated player on the Chicago Bears?

Former second-round pick Cody Whitehair has been a versatile member of Chicago’s offensive line, where he’s played center and guard.

When you think about the Chicago Bears, typically Khalil Mack springs to mind. He’s become the face of the franchise following the blockbuster trade that brought the former All-Pro to Chicago.

Mack’s impact on the Bears has been significant since he arrived in 2018, where he’s transformed a top-10 defense into one of the NFL’s best, helping make those already talented crop of defensive players even better. It’s safe to say Mack’s contributions certainly aren’t taken for granted.

But who is the most underrated player on the Bears?

The easy answer is someone like defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, receiver Allen Robinson or nose tackle Eddie Goldman. But Pro Football Focus believes center Cody Whitehair is the team’s most underrated player.

Part of the reason for Whitehair’s inclusion on this list is that he’s coming off a career-worst overall grade of 64.9 in 2019, but he started the season at left guard rather than his usual center position. That has led to some question about where he fits on this line and what he’ll look like moving forward. 

When looking at just snaps played at center since 2016, Whitehair’s PFF grade of 79.8 ranks eighth — a top-shelf option who excels in the run game. That grade dips to 68.1 across either guard spot on nearly 800 career NFL snaps. If Whitehair remains at center, where he played the final eight weeks of the 2019 season, we should expect improved play again next season.

Whitehair, a former second-round pick, has been a versatile member of Chicago’s offensive line, where he’s played center and guard. He earned a rare second contract as a Ryan Pace draft pick following his solid contributions. Whitehair made his first Pro Bowl in 2018.

PFF noted how Whitehair started 2019 at left guard while James Daniels occupied the center position. Following early-season struggles on the offensive line, the Bears made a midseason switch moving Whitehair back to center and Daniels back to left guard, where they both excelled in 2018.

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Ranking Ryan Pace’s 5 best draft picks as Bears GM

Let’s look at the studs that Ryan Pace has drafted in his five years as Bears GM.

With the 2020 NFL Draft upon us, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace will be bringing in a new crop of talent that he hopes will have a positive impact on this roster moving forward.

When you examine Pace’s draft history, it’s filled with some studs and some duds. Luckily, here, we’re going to be looking at the gems that Pace has drafted in his five years as Bears GM.

Let’s take a look at Pace’s five best draft picks, which include a pair of All-Pros and some playmakers on this Bears roster.

5. LB Roquan Smith (1st Round, 2018)

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

In just two seasons, Roquan Smith has shown the potential to become a cornerstone of this Bears defense at inside linebacker. And he could wind up being one of Pace’s best picks, when all is said and done. Smith had a solid rookie season — where he tallied 121 tackles, five sacks, five passes defended and one interception.

While he got off to a slow start in his sophomore year, he was playing some of his best football late in the season before a torn pec ended his year early. Last season, Smith notched 101 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed and an interception. Assuming Smith returns to form following his torn pec, he could be primed for a breakout season in 2020.

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Ranking each Bears draft class under Ryan Pace

When you put each of Bears GM Ryan Pace’s first five draft classes next to one another, how do they stack up?

We’re down to just hours before the 2020 NFL Draft officially begins in Las Vegas, NV virtually, giving teams yet another opportunity to improve their roster as the offseason marches on.

For Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace, this year’s draft will be his sixth and like most GMs, he’s found his share of diamonds in the rough while missing badly on top prospects.

But when you put each of his first five draft classes next to one another, how do they stack up? Below is a ranking of Pace’s worst to best draft classes between 2015 and 2019.

5) 2019 draft class

Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Key hits – None

Key misses – None

It seems a little unfair to rank the Bears most-recent draft class in last place, considering the players have only had one season to develop. But the truth is, none of the Bears five picks have shown they are true hits yet. They also relinquished their first and second-round picks when they traded for All-Pro outside linebacker Khalil Mack prior to the 2018 season.

Their first selection didn’t come until pick No. 73, trading up in the third round for running back David Montgomery. The former Cyclone was decent and definitely showed flashes throughout the season, but he wasn’t consistent enough and only averaged 3.7 yards per carry. He wasn’t bad by any means, but he wasn’t a standout. Most notably, he was the only rookie to play a significant amount of snaps.

Their next pick, wide receiver Riley Ridley, didn’t play a single down until Week 13 and failed to make an impact. Cornerback Duke Shelley, the Bears’ sixth-round pick, spent a large portion of the season inactive, and their pair of seventh-rounders in running back Kerrith Whyte Jr. and cornerback Stephen Denmark were released and spent the year on the practice squad, respectively.

It was a rough year for this rookie class, but the bright side for this group is Montgomery, Ridley, and Shelley will have more opportunities to prove themselves and take the next step in their careers in Year 2.

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If the Vikings didn’t pick Treadwell in ’16, who would have they taken?

A group of writers over at NFL.com re-drafted the first round and at pick No. 23, the Vikings ended up with an interior lineman.

Laquon Treadwell will go down as one of the biggest busts in Vikings’ history.

The Vikings took Treadwell with the 23rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

In the four seasons since, Treadwell combined for 65 catches for 701 yards and two touchdowns. That’s not great! If that was one season, sure, fine. But that’s not ideal for a four-year stretch.

So, if the Vikings weren’t to take Treadwell with that pick, who would have they taken?

A group of writers over at NFL.com re-drafted the first round and at pick No. 23, the Vikings ended up with center/guard Cody Whitehair.

Here’s what Jim Trotter wrote about the pick:

In need of stability and talent up front, the Vikings select a player who has started every game since entering the league. Not only that, but Whitehair is extremely versatile, having played left guard, right guard and center. While not dominant, he is someone who can be counted on for solid play for a decade.

Whitehair was originally a second-round pick by the Bears. Some help on the interior of the offensive line would certainly be a boost to this current team. Pat Elflein and Garrett Bradbury underperformed in 2019 and the team just released Josh Kline.

The top-5 picks in the re-draft are Carson Wentz to the Rams, Jared Goff to the Eagles, Joey Bosa to the Chargers, Dak Prescott to the Cowboys and Jalen Ramsey to the Jaguars.

NFL Draft: Ranking Bears’ best 2nd-round picks since 2000

Let’s take a look at the Bears’ five best second-round draft picks since 2000.

The Chicago Bears are once again without a first-round draft pick this year (due to the Khalil Mack trade). But they do have two second-round picks this year, which also happen to be Chicago’s only picks in the first four rounds.

Simply put, general manager Ryan Pace needs to make those two second rounders count. And with no shortage of needs on both offense and defense — ranging from tight end to offensive line to defensive back — Pace needs to capitalize on these selections.

When it comes to second-round selections for the Bears, recent history has been kinder to Chicago than the first round, so there’s that. Let’s take a look at the Bears’ five best second-round draft picks since 2000.

5. James Daniels, OL

2018 NFL Draft, No. 39 overall

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

While the Bears offensive line collectively had its share of struggles last season, center/guard James Daniels has the potential to grow into a solid player for Chicago. He had a solid rookie campaign, where he held his own against one of the game’s best when he fended off Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald in a primetime game in Chicago in 2018.

Daniels was drafted to be Chicago’s center, and he got his chance in his sophomore season when he and Cody Whitehair switched back to their natural positions. The transition didn’t last long, as the pair went back to the positions they occupied in 2018 following Daniels’ struggles.

Daniels continues to be a developmental project, but he’s shown that, if he continues to develop, he can be a pillar on the Bears’ offensive line for the foreseeable future. Bringing in Juan Castillo as the team’s new offensive line coach should be instrumental in Daniels’ growth.

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Who is Bears GM Ryan Pace’s best draft pick?

Bears GM Ryan Pace has had his share of hits and misses in the NFL Draft during his five-year tenure. But who’s been his best pick?

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace has had his share of hits and misses in the NFL Draft during his five-year tenure.

Pace has struggled to succeed with first-round picks, including receiver Kevin White, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. But Pace has been good in the later rounds, where he’s gotten some absolute steals in the draft.

But who has been Pace’s best pick since he joined the Bears in 2015?

There’s an argument to be made for All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson, who Pace stole in the fourth round. Players like nose tackle Eddie Goldman (second round), running back Jordan Howard (fifth round) and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (fourth round) could also be in the running.

But NFL.com’s Charley Casserly believes that Pace’s last first-round selection, linebacker Roquan Smith, was his best pick.

He is the complete package as a linebacker who has the speed to cover sideline to sideline, excelling vs. the run.

Already, Smith is showing that he has a bright future at inside linebacker for the Bears. Smith has 155 total tackles, seven sacks, seven passes defensed and two interceptions in two seasons. Smith was playing some of his best football before suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Casserly also noted that, as far as best value picks go, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair (second round) was another great selection by Pace.

He is a smart player who can make the calls for the unit. Most importantly, he hasn’t missed a start since he was drafted.

Whitehair has been a reliable player on the offensive line, where he earned a second contract with the Bears. He’s been flexible, playing center, left guard and right guard at times during his five-year career.

The Bears are once again without a first-round pick for the second year in a row, although they do own a pair of second-round selections. Considering Pace has had more success in the later rounds, maybe it’s a good thing that five of Chicago’s seven picks come in the fifth round or later.

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Bears restructure Cody Whitehair’s contract

Bears GM Ryan Pace is getting creative in freeing up salary cap space, starting with center Cody Whitehair’s contract.

Despite not having a whole lot of salary cap space, the Bears have made some big moves in free agency and through the trade market.

Chicago has bolstered its defense with All-Pro pass rusher Robert Quinn and added some pieces to its offense with the additions of tight end Jimmy Graham and quarterback Nick Foles.

Now, general manager Ryan Pace has to get creative in freeing up salary cap space. And that’s starting with restructuring center Cody Whitehair’s contract, according to Field Yates.

According to Over The Cap, Whitehair’s base salary in 2020 is $5.1 million, which means that with a restructure the most they could save would be $3.352 million.

Considering the Bears are still anticipated to make some moves in free agency, including on the offensive line, don’t expect the restructuring of Whitehair’s contract to be the last move Pace makes to free up cap space.

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5 causes for concern for Bears in 2020

The Bears are expected to make plenty of moves this offseason. But there are reasons to be cautious about the Bears heading into 2020.

Things can certainly change in a year. At this time last season, the Bears’ only real concern was replacing beleaguered kicker Cody Parkey. They had a young core in place that was coming off a strong 12-4 season, and there were high expectations for their offense to take the next step and their defense to continue dominating.

Fast forward, and the Bears have several needs that far outweigh their kicker, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

The offseason has just begun, and the Bears are expected to make plenty of moves. But if the season were to start today, here are five reasons to be cautious about the Bears in 2020.

1. Mitchell Trubisky’s regression

Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

The one glaring issue that serves to potentially hold the Bears back from championship contention is quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky was expected to take the next step in his development last season, but he only served to be arguably the most disappointing aspect of Chicago’s offense.

While the Bears remain publicly committed to Trubisky as their starter for 2020, that’s not set in stone in February. The Bears will likely bring in veteran competition/insurance for Trubisky. But given Ryan Pace’s job figures to be tied to the quarterback he traded up to get and took over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, you figure the Bears will give him one last chance in 2020.

The Good News? Trubisky can’t get much worse in 2020, right? Especially with new offensive coaches in Bill Lazor and John DeFilippo.

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