The Chicago Bears have some tough assignments ahead of them this offseason. While most of their focus will be on the offensive side of the ball, there are some important objectives regarding the defense too. One of the most overlooked is the situation at safety. They did the first part already by extending safety Eddie Jackson. Now they have to figure out what they’ll do about the spot next to him in the secondary.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Deon Bush, and DeAndre Houston-Carson are all free agents. The odds of them returning are remote at this point. Bush and Houston-Carson might but that’s hard to say. Clinton-Dix though feels gone at this point. He’ll demand a significant contract on the open market after a solid 2019 season and the Bears have too many other more pressing needs to likely meet the price he’ll be asking for.
This would explain why the Bears have been active meeting with safeties early in the pre-draft process. Another name just got added to that list according to Charlie Campbell of Walter Football. One who might remind a lot of fans of Adrian Amos when he came out back in 2015.
Brooks would fit the Chicago Bears quite well
One of the criticisms that former Bears defensive end Alex Brown had of Clinton-Dix was he failed to fit the strong safety role. This forced the Bears to use Jackson more around the line of scrimmage, robbing him of more chances to do what he does best. That is patrolling the deep part of the field seeking turnovers. Brooks Jr. would be much more of a fit in that box safety roll. Not only is he an instinctive and aggressive player. He’s also physical.
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Here’s what Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network says about him.
“Brooks Jr. brings a strong presence off the edge as a D-gap run defender and blitzer and pairs it with good short area quickness and stout tackling. His functional athleticism may prevent him from playing an every down role on the back end but this is a potential special teams ace and strong complimentary asset with valued skills against the pass (shallow zone and man to man) or against the run.”
Brooks is a bit on the shorter side at 5’10 but doesn’t seem to let that stop him from imposing his will on the field. He’ll take on anybody and is an apparent emotional leader on his team. In his final two years, he delivered 155 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions. Projections are he’ll go somewhere on Day 3 of the draft.