Healthy Goldman, Hicks would give Bears destructive duo in 2017
In his first year with the Bears, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks proved to be one of the franchise's best free-agent pickups in recent years.
Hicks was signed to a two-year, $10 million contract to anchor the Bears' base 3-4 as a run-stuffer at left end. But he provided much more than that and wound up as the team's defensive MVP.
Hicks tied for second on the team with a career-best 7 sacks, and he led the team with 18 quarterback pressures and forced a team-best 2 fumbles. The 6-foot-5, 336-pound Hicks was fourth with 71 tackles, more than twice as many as the next Bears D-lineman.
Hicks was on the field for a whopping 931 plays in 2016, 86.6 percent of the Bears' defensive snaps.
Hicks and 2015 second-round nose tackle Eddie Goldman should have been a destructive duo in 2016. But the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Goldman only played in six games and was limited to 198 snaps. His high-ankle sprain in Week 2 was aggravated throughout the season and adversely affected his play even when he was able to suit up.
Goldman still made 24 tackles and had 2½ sacks, but much more was expected after a rookie season that included 4½ sacks and 39 tackles. A healthy Goldman, who is just 23 years old, could anchor the Bears' D-line for several years.
Steady, versatile, journeyman Mitch Unrein was second on the defensive line with 436 snaps and started nine games, but he would serve the Bears better as a backup.
Third-round end Jonathan Bullard was a disappointment, showing only flashes of talent while playing 296 snaps. The Bears haven't given up on the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Bullard's ability to become an effective player, but that won't prevent them from drafting someone better.
Backup end Cornelius Washington left for Detroit via free agency and massive (6-foot-3, 359 pounds) nose tackle John Jenkins was added. Will Sutton, a third-round pick in 2014, suffered a season-ending ankle injury midway through the 2016 season, and C.J. Wilson was re-signed. But neither are roster locks, so the Bears could use more depth.
• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.
Defensive linemen drafted by the Bears in the last 10 years
Year Rd. Player, Pos. School
2016 3 E Jonathan Bullard Florida
2015 2 T Eddie Goldman Florida St.
2014 2 T Ego Ferguson LSU
3 T Will Sutton Arizona State
2013 6 E Cornelius Washington Georgia
2011 2 T Stephen Paea Oregon State
2010 4 E Corey Wootton Northwestern
2009 3 T Jarron Gilbert San Jose State
4 E Henry Melton Texas
2008 3 T Marcus Harrison Arkansas
7 E Ervin Baldwin Michigan State
2007 2 E Dan Bazuin Cent. Michigan