One of the more puzzling things the Chicago Bears have done this offseason is not replace Tashaun Gipson at safety. This leaves a rather sizable void next to Eddie Jackson on the back end. Their only moves to this point have been bringing back Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson on one-year deals. Are they planning on holding a competition? Will they wait until after the draft to add a veteran? Or could they be seeking a replacement in the draft itself?
GM Ryan Pace isn’t afraid to take safeties in the draft and is pretty good at it. Jackson was his best draft pick at that position. Adrian Amos remains a rock solid starter in the league. Bush and Houston-Carson are good backups and special teamers. So he has a sharp eye for talent at the position. Could this be the year he actually grabs one earlier than the middle rounds?
That might be possible if they’re meeting with Jevon Holland.
Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron revealed the Bears representative met with the Oregon safety. Many view him as one of the most versatile defenders in the entire 2021 draft. Somebody who can play safety but also slot cornerback. A rare breed of athlete that can start at more than one position. What kind of player is he? Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to Buffalo Bills starter Jordan Poyer.
Perhaps one of the most underrated defensive backs in the league. Poyer was a free safety in 2017 and 2018, during which he had nine interceptions. Then he was asked to move to strong safety in 2019. He ended up having 231 tackles, three sacks, and still grabbed four interceptions the past two years. A really good football player. Holland does have similar abilities. He had nine interceptions his two years starting for Oregon but has the 6’1, 200 lbs frame to play down in the box as well.
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Oregon DB Jevon Holland confirms to me that he has met with the #Bears.
He's a versatile defender who can play as a safety and a nickel cornerback. He's viewed as one of the top defensive backs in the class.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 5, 2021
Chicago Bears may think they can get Holland on Day 2
That is where he’s currently projected to go. Keep in mind the safety opted not to play in 2020 due to the pandemic. So teams don’t have much recent tape on him and he also hasn’t played football in over a year. This makes it difficult to know what teams are getting. That is why he is liable to go later than he probably should. If they could somehow nab him in the 3rd round, keeping the first two picks for offensive players? That would be a steal.
There is no question he would be a fit in this defensive scheme too. Vic Fangio’s defense has always made good use of its safeties. Holland would be moved around all over the field, allowing Jackson to play where he’s most dangerous on the back end. Those two would make a potent combination in terms of turnover potential too. Teams wouldn’t be able to casually throw at one to avoid the other.
It isn’t difficult to see why the Chicago Bears are interested.
Safeties don’t figure to be the focus early in the draft. Only one is projected to go in the 1st round and that will be towards the end of it. Holland is a difficult assessment because of this. He could go early in the 2nd or later in the 3rd. That is how unpredictable his draft stock is. The talent is certainly there. How much did opting out hurt him?