When talking about contracts the Chicago Bears will hand out next offseason, the conversations begin and end with Roquan Smith. That isn’t a surprise. The young inside linebacker is arguably the best player on their defense, which is saying a lot. He’s averaged double-digit tackles per game for the season while also having two sacks and a pick-six. There is no question he is the future of the Bears defense. However, he isn’t the only member from his 2018 draft class in great position for a payday. Don’t sleep on James Daniels.
It has been been a difficult journey for the 2nd round pick out of Iowa. He came in as a center, moved to left guard as a rookie, then to center in 2019. He struggled there, moved back to left guard, started playing really well in early 2020 before tearing his pectoral. That ended his season. By the time he got back, he was on the move again. This time to right guard. A position he was unfamiliar with.
Things didn’t start well.
In his first three games at the new position, Daniels gave up 10 pressures on the quarterback including a sack. Some wondered if he was ever going to look like the same player he was on the left side. Their answer may not have been long in coming. In the last four games, the 24-year old has allowed just four pressures and no sacks. A significant improvement.
It doesn’t end there though. Daniels has also made his presence felt in the running game. Whenever the Bears have run the ball either behind the right guard or between the right guard and center? They’ve amassed 173 on 38 carries. That is good for a healthy 4.55 yards per carry. Not bad considering the questionable strength of center Sam Mustipher and the revolving door of bodies at right tackle.
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— Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤𝔻 ▶️ (@_MarcusD3_) October 10, 2021
Really enjoyed watching James Daniels in Week 2. He looks much more confident and played fast, physical, & assertive. A few of my favorite examples here. pic.twitter.com/vgIGhqzZpW
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 24, 2020
Roquan Smith and James Daniels have been great picks
They may not receive the accolades others have in recent years, but it is undeniable that both have lived up to the expectations placed on them. Smith is a Pro Bowler in all but name. Daniels is probably the best blocker on the entire Bears offensive line. That they were the #1 and #2 picks of their draft class is a welcome relief for GM Ryan Pace who had some truly terrible luck with his higher draft choices early in his career.
If Daniels continues to play as he has? Then he is looking at a healthy raise next spring. Probably somewhere in the vicinity of $9-10 million per year. With him and Whitehair fixed at the guard spots, the Bears will have to figure out what they’re doing at the tackle and center positions. Roquan Smith? He figures to have a case for becoming the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL.
Not bad for two guys who still haven’t reached 25-years old.
The tricky part for Chicago is what they plan to do after giving those two their money. This roster needs a lot of work. They only have five draft picks going into 2022. So salary cap space for free agency might be their best course of action to improve. One can safely assume those deals will be backloaded to keep the cap hits low for next season.
