Chicago Bears: 5 Edge rushers to target in 2020 NFL free agency

Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons (6-3, 246 pounds)

Coming out of Clemson in the 2015 draft, Vic Beasley was a sought-after edge rusher. He was the first linebacker taken and he had a bright future ahead of him. He had a decent but not great rookie season in the Atlanta Falcons’ 4-3 defense.

The next season the Falcons moved to a 3-4 and Beasley flourished. He was an All-Pro in 2016, recording 39 tackles (11 for loss), 16 quarterback hits and led the league in both sacks (15.5) and forced fumbles (6). He had the speed and quickness to get into the opponents’ backfield regularly, shedding would-be tacklers easily.

The Falcons expected big things from Beasley after the 2016 season but were sadly disappointed. He recorded just 10 sacks over the next two seasons as the Falcons again used him as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense.

In 2019 it seemed like Beasley felt a little more comfortable in the 4-3. He recorded 8 sacks and had a career-high 42 tackles. It seemed he was on his way up. The Falcons were not, however, They finished the season with a record of 7-9 and the defense ranked 23rd in scoring. They surprised many by cutting Beasley.

In 2015, the Chicago Bears drafted wide receiver Kevin White one pick before Beasley. Who knows what would have happened if they picked Beasley and had Vic Fangio working with him.

Well, now we have the tempting situation of how a good a player with the tools that Beasley has can perform on an elite team. He’ll be in his natural 3-4 defense so he doesn’t need to play defensive end (except on a few occasions). He can attack and go after the quarterback knowing that he’ll face a lot of one-on-ones.

Being on a team with elite players just makes a player raise his own game. We saw that happen with Buster Skrine. In 2019 he looked better than he did in any season with the New York Jets. Throughout his career, he got called for too many penalties. With the Bears in 2019, he had just one penalty, and it was on special teams. He didn’t have to try to do too much and he had a good season.

I think Beasley would be a great fit with the Bears and he’d cause his own havoc on the opposition playing on this defense. If teams continually target Mack, then Beasley could have a season similar to 2016.