Eddie Jackson Says Too Many People Sleep On Bears Rookie

The Chicago Bears defense has made a remarkable turnaround since they bottomed out last season, ranking dead last in most categories. While the unit is far from perfect this year, they are significantly better in several areas. They're 9th in total yards allowed and boast the #1 run defense in the league. They've also forced 17 takeaways, including eight in their last two games. Eddie Jackson is thrilled to be part of the resurgence, but much of the credit has to go with several of the young guys GM Ryan Poles brought in.

Gervon Dexter is rapidly becoming a force at defensive tackle. T.J. Edwards looks like a Pro Bowler at linebacker. Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson have all had interceptions in the past two games. The unit is flying all over the field, making plays, delivering hits, and swarming to the ball. However, Jackson believes certain other players aren't getting enough credit for their contributions. One of them is rookie cornerback Terell Smith, whom he told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has a chance to be something special.

“From Day 1, when he stepped out, this guy, he’s kind of special,” free safety Eddie Jackson said of Smith. “You see plays he can make. And it’s just unfortunate because during training camp he got hurt and then he came back and ended up getting sick. Wrong time for that. But he’s a special kid. Smitty is a quiet dude, but he’s very talented.”

Eddie Jackson is right about Smith.

If you're looking for flashy numbers, you'll be disappointed. In this case, one must dig a bit deeper to see the value. Opposing quarterbacks have targeted him 25 times this season. He's allowed only 16 catches for 160 yards, no touchdowns, and two pass deflections for a modest 82.1 passer rating. He also had a big forced fumble in Washington that helped the Bears secure a win. Smith has missed only two tackles while making 10 stops for little or no gain at the line of scrimmage. The 5th round pick out of Minnesota plays far above his draft slot.

It is easy to see why Eddie Jackson and others are so excited. Stevenson is already a starter and playing well for the Bears. If Smith keeps this up, GM Ryan Poles may have nabbed two starting-caliber cornerbacks in the same draft. That is a tremendous stroke of good evaluation and good fortune. It means, presuming the Bears can retain Jaylon Johnson, that they will be one of the deeper cornerback units in the NFL. Few things are more valuable to a defense than that.