Bears training camp preview: A few true safeties led by Jackson, Brisker
11th in a series
While the roster includes 14 cornerbacks competing for five or six spots, there will only be six true safeties in training camp competing for four or five spots. Either Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus have unusual confidence in these six guys, or some of those corners will be competing at safety too.
Eddie Jackson
Jackson looked like the NFL's future at free safety coming off a remarkable 2018 All-Pro sophomore campaign, but his play began to wane during the final third of the 2019 season. He has been just a guy for the most part the last two seasons.
Nonetheless he received a four-year, $58.4 million contract extension prior to the 2020 campaign that included $33 million guaranteed and runs through 2024.
He is a true free safety, a center fielder that's been asked to play closer to the line of scrimmage the last two years. But the presence of rookie Jaquan Brisker, more of an in-the-box strong safety, should work to Jackson's advantage.
Biggest plus: Jackson has great instincts and some of the best ball skills in the league.
Biggest concern: At times his tackling leaves much to be desired.
Jaquan Brisker
Brisker appears to have all the tools to be a perfect match for Jackson. And like the veteran, Brisker comes with a reputation as a big-play, key-moment guy with excellent ball skills of his own.
How he will fare in coverage at this level is unknown for now.
Biggest plus: Brisker comes with a reputation of a hard-nosed athlete the moment is never too big for.
Biggest concern: He'll have to break a habit of locking eyes with the quarterback and ending up playing catch up in coverage.
DeAndre Houston-Carson
Houston-Carson has morphed into that dependable veteran who can step in at either safety or even at nickel and not get you beat, and he brings great special teams value as well.
Biggest plus: Houston-Carson is smart, tough and a valued leader on a young roster.
Biggest concern: He isn't a guy you want having to play all 60 minutes.
Dane Cruikshank
A veteran free agent from the Tennessee Titans, Cruikshank arrives with a reputation as a nasty No. 3 safety who will knock your block off, seeks contact and brings real special teams coverage ability.
Biggest plus: He specializes in covering tight ends in the nickel and dime packages, which has earned the nickname the "Tight End Eraser."
Biggest concern: He just isn't an every down defender.
Michael Joseph
Joseph is a cornerback by trade who's been struggling to make the team since being a priority undrafted rookie free agent in 2018. After four years mostly on the practice squad, he was seen often at safety this summer.
Biggest plus: He can shadow and run with No. 2 and 3 receivers.
Biggest concern: How many guys finally make a team in their fifth season?
Elijah Hicks
As the 254th pick in this year's draft, we've rarely seen a young man as excited to become a Bear.
He is tough, aggressive, often around the ball and has a knack for creating take-aways, but he's a bit undersized and lacks any special traits.
Biggest plus: His attitude and desire appear to be off the charts.
Biggest concern: There are reasons he was No. 254.
A.J. Thomas, Jon Alexander
An outside linebacker at Western Michigan, Thomas has nice size (6-2, 215) to take a crack at safety. Alexander is even an inch taller and at least played the position at Charlotte. Both are undrafted rookie free agents and long shots for anything but the practice squad.
The skinny
Where they fit in NFL: Talent- and traits-wise they're upper half, but Jackson is the only known quantity. And which Eddie will we see?
Potential: If Brisker is ready by Week 1, he and Jackson could be a Top 10 duo and even a better group with Cruikshank and Houston-Carson behind them.
Surprises: Jackson and Brisker mesh immediately and the turnovers start coming opening day and don't stop.
Disappointments: Jackson's 2018 campaign was a one off, and Brisker's ceiling is Adrian Amos.
Outcome: Jackson, Brisker, Houston-Carson and Cruikshank look locked in and either Joseph or Hicks will have to knock a cornerback off the roster to stick.