NEWSLETTER
I find myself noting potential positions of need when browsing the Chicago Bears’ roster.
For example, the running backs room looks a little light. David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen are at the top of the depth chart, but what stands behind that duo leaves much to be desired. For another, Chicago might have the makings of a solid offensive line, but depth throughout the roster might be an issue. Meanwhile, at cornerback, there are waves of bodies and names fighting for a roster spot familiar to Bears training-camp goers.
And then I look at the Bears’ depth chart at nose tackle and think to myself … “Yeah, the Bears would be wise to roll the dice on Damon “Snacks” Harrison.”
With 117 games (111 starts) under his belt and first-team All-Pro recognition as recently as 2016, Harrison is the most experienced and accomplished nose tackle available in free agency. Indeed, Pro Football Focus named Harrison the Run Defender of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. They also note that Harrison’s 254 run-stops between 2013-18 were the most of any interior defensive lineman in the game. It’s impossible to look at that production, glance over at the Bears’ depth chart, and not see the potential upgrade Harrison could bring to an already stout defense.
But if Harrison’s résumé doesn’t do it, perhaps thinking about the situation differently will sway your opinion.
The Bears’ biggest rivals are the Packers and Vikings. And in order to slow either of those teams down, containing the running game is key.
Dalvin Cook (Vikings) and Aaron Jones (Packers) ran for the 10th and 12th most rushing yards (respectively) last season. PFF ranked Jones as the fifth-highest-graded back in 2019, while Cook was 14th. With Gary Kubiak running the offense in Minnesota, the Vikings threaten to run the ball early and often. Then follow that barrage with play action over-the-top.
After opting not to use the draft or free agency to re-load the receiver position, Green Bay figures to do the same with its offense. Center the attack around Jones’ talents, then get the ball to Davante Adams in space. Aaron Rodgers is hard to stop in isolation. But it’s nearly impossible to slow down that attack if it can gash you both through the air and on the ground.
This is where someone like “Snacks” Harrison fits perfectly. Stuffing the run early makes later downs obvious pass situations. With an improved pass-rush featuring Robert Quinn as Khalil Mack’s sidekick, this could give the Bears an advantage. And because the Bears are to play six of the 10 quarterbacks most affected by pass-rush pressure, making opponents one-dimensional seems important.
And if that doesn’t move the needle, then look no further than the depth chart:
• John Jenkins has a leg up on nabbing the starting job. He has 82 games (22 starts) of professional experience and familiarity with GM Ryan Pace dating back to his time in New Orleans (2013-14).
• LaCale London is a fun local story. London, a Peoria native, finished his college career at Western Illinois and earned second-team All-MVFC honors. The Bears signed London as an undrafted free agent in the spring.
• Lee Autry was a top junior college recruit who signed to play his final two years of college ball at Mississippi State. But he missed eight games as a senior while serving a suspension for violating team rules. As a result, Autry didn’t get much of a chance to be an impact player for the Bulldogs.
That’s it. The entirety of the depth chart after Eddie Goldman opted out is shallow, to say the least. One player with tangible professional experience and two undrafted free agent rookies whose collegiate résumés leave something to be desired. It’s clear to me this group needs a boost. And whenever I’m in need of a boost, I usually turn to snacks to get me through a rough spot. So I would encourage the Bears to do the same.
