Matt Eberflus said in a recent interview with Cris Collinsworth that the Chicago Bears are trying to get the best players available in the upcoming draft. The last thing they want to do with only six picks is reach at positions of need that may not be there. So if a talented player at another spot is available, they will consider him. One position that people may not want to ignore with just weeks to go is safety.
Right now, the Bears are in a somewhat odd spot there. Eddie Jackson remains a starter, but the strong safety position next to him is vacant. As of right now, it looks like a two-man race between longtime backup DeAndre Houston-Carson and newcomer Dane Cruikshank. Neither can be considered a slam dunk option, so the Bears may seek to add more competition in the former of a draft pick. One name they appear to have interest in is Jaquan Brisker from Penn State.
He revealed his visit to Halas Hall on his Instagram.
Brisker is probably one of the more overlooked talents in this draft, at least by the media. Draft experts love him. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com went so far as to compare him to former Houston Texans stud Justin Reid. What stands out about him the most is his size and versatility.
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“He has the versatility to become a moving chess piece in a variety of coverages and has the size and talent to match up with both “Y” and “F” tight ends. He played with a banged-up shoulder in 2021 so his 2020 tape is a clearer indicator of his run support acumen. Brisker is an ascending talent with the NFL traits to become a long-time starter as a Day 2 draft pick.”
Eberflus said one of the things he covets most in a player is the ability to do multiple things well. Brisker proved that with 63 tackles, six tackles for a loss, and two interceptions for the Nittany Lions in 2021.
Jaquan Brisker since 2019:
🥇 91.6 PFF Grade (1st among Big 10 Safeties)
🥇 92.2 Coverage Grade (1st)
🥇 14 forced incompletions (1st)pic.twitter.com/vfAiXbKP2G— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 10, 2022
Jaquan Brisker, man.
RB TreVeyon Henderson (who looks like a future 1st rounder) scores two plays later, but Brisker covers so much ground to make this play. You can bet the speed and effort here has the attention of NFL scouts. 👀 pic.twitter.com/HkA5PHUDD6
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 1, 2021
Tremendous range on this play by #PSU Safety Ji'Ayir Brown. He’s had a fantastic season playing opposite of Jaquan Brisker and now up to five interceptions on the season.
Writing his name down for next season, he’ll be an interesting study this summer. pic.twitter.com/l4y3ZaCi04
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 1, 2022
Chicago Bears fans might be reminded of Adrian Amos. He too came from Penn State, and his physical dimensions are almost identical to Brisker. The difference is the latter has more range and a better nose for the football. He also plays with 100% effort, even when the ball doesn’t go in his direction. That is the kind of commitment Eberflus talked about. He wants all 11 guys on defense flying to the football. Brisker would fit right in.
