Chicago Bears: 3 Players with something to prove vs. Bills
Roy Robertson-Harris needs to show he should be the starter
This is one of the most important positions on the defense aside from outside linebacker. Whoever starts there needs to make an impact. Akiem Hicks cannot continue to handle continuous double-teams.
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If he can just get some help, he could be not only a Pro Bowl candidate (something he should have been the last two seasons), but a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
I feel the popular choice for the coaching staff is Jonathan Bullard. He has the size and playing end is natural for him. Roy Robertson-Harris, however, was a 255-pound linebacker when he came to Chicago. With him needing a position and the Bears not getting what they wanted out of Mitch Unrein and Bullard, they had Robertson-Harris add 40 pounds on his 6-7 frame. They then had him compete for the defensive end job.
Compete he has. I believe he is outplaying Bullard, recording more tackles and, more importantly, more sacks. Robertson-Harris has 3.5 sacks this season. He had two sacks all of last season. Yes, I know it’s just the preseason, but he’s shown that he can handle the position.
If Robertson-Harris has another good game, he solidifies his chances at starting. Bullard has been pretty disappointing since the Bears drafted him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. At some point, the team needs to realize Bullard isn’t starter material. I’m not sure Robertson-Harris is a longtime answer, but in this battle against Bullard, he should be the winner.