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NFL 2018: Every team’s biggest training camp battle

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NFL 2018
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 19: Leonard Floyd #94 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Ricky Wagner #71 of the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Lions defeated the Bears 27-24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bears: Pass Rusher

There’s talk that the Chicago Bears have one of their edge rushers figured out. But do they? Leonard Floyd was the No. 9 overall pick in 2016, with the expectation he would be a stud pass rusher.

His selection though was based on a lot of projection. He never had more than 6.5 sacks as a collegiate player and his junior season saw him register 4.5 total sacks according to Sports Reference.

Related Story. 5 Things Bears first official depth chart signals. light

This isn’t to say he was a bad player, but Floyd was over-drafted and so far in two seasons in the NFL he hasn’t really broken out. So that means that while the common belief is the Bears need one more pass rusher, the truth is they need anyone to become consistent.

In 2017, Floyd had just 4.5 sacks and needs to really step up his game in this regard. Outside of him though, not many names strike fear. Akiem Hicks can produce, but in a 3-4 defense like Chicago runs, the majority of the pass rush should be coming from the outside linebackers.

Aaron Lynch, Sam Acho, and Jonathan Anderson are some names on the roster that the Bears have to hope can tale that next step, but there’s little hope in the Windy City that this pass rush will be what the defense is built around.

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