6 Bears defensive starters have made Pro Football Focus' Top 101 so far

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The Bears defense is extremely talented, and while you didn't need an analytics site to tell you that, it never hurts to hear it. 

As the 2019 offseason kicks off, football analytics site Pro Football Focus is releasing their Top 101 players from the 2018 season. 

The Bears are especially well-represented on the list, with at least 6 defensive starters cracking the top 101. The Top-10 has yet to be released, with Khalil Mack presumably somewhere on that list: 

#11 - Akiem Hicks: 

Hicks finished the regular season as the fourth-highest graded interior defensive linemen and held top 10 marks in both pressures and stops. His effect on the game didn’t stop there, however, as he also batted five passes and chipped in by forcing three fumbles, all from the interior of the defensive line.

#14- Eddie Jackson

Simply put, Jackson’s body of work across his 589 coverage snaps this year has been some of the best that we’ve ever seen from a safety. In his 14 regular-season games, Jackson’s performance in coverage earned a coverage grade of 94.7 which not only led all defensive players in the NFL this year, but it’s tied for the best mark ever recorded by a safety in the PFF era (2006-present).

#66 - Kyle Fuller

Fuller wrapped up his fourth season in the Chicago Bears’ secondary following the loss to the Eagles in the wild-card round of the playoffs, and it was arguably the best of his young NFL career. He logged a whopping 20 combined pass breakups and interceptions on the year and allowed a paltry 66.6 passer rating on throws into his coverage.

#81 - Bryce Callahan

Once an afterthought, the importance of the slot cornerback has begun to come to light in recent seasons, and Callahan was one of the best in 2018. All told, Callahan allowed a passer rating of just 78.9 on throws into his slot coverage, good for seventh among players at the position.

#88 - Eddie Goldman

Goldman capped off a career year in Chicago with an overall grade of 89.2 – almost 15 points higher than his previous career best. In a tremendous season, Goldman was at his best against the run, where he racked up 27 run stops from 211 run-defense snaps.

#100 - Prince Amukamara

Plagued by injuries throughout most of his career, Amukamara makes the list with a career-best 81.0 overall grade this season, including playoffs. He allowed an 81.9 passer rating when targeted in coverage with 10 combined pass breakups and interceptions. He was also great in run support with a 90.5 run defense grade, third-best at the cornerback position.

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