Fansided

Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Eddie Jackson #39 of the Chicago Bears returns an interception in front of Lane Taylor #65 of the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.The Bears defeated the Packers 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Eddie Jackson #39 of the Chicago Bears returns an interception in front of Lane Taylor #65 of the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.The Bears defeated the Packers 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

1. Chicago Bears

2018 Review: In what proved to be coordinator Vic Fangio’s final season with the team, this unit staked its claim as the best in the league. The Bears surrendered the third-fewest total yards, were tops against the run, gave up a league-low 283 points and totaled an NFL-best 36 takeaways. The addition of Khalil Mack just before the start of 2018 elevated this group. Unsung Akiem Hicks had another big year, rookie linebacker Roquan Smith led the team in stops and cornerback Kyle Fuller (7) and safety Eddie Jackson (6) combined for 13 of the club’s 27 interceptions.

2019 Key Additions: The team didn’t do a lot in terms of adding talent to this unit, either via free agency or the draft. As for the former, one-time Green Bay Packers’ safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (playing for his third team in 2 seasons) and cornerback Buster Skrine, late of the Jets. The Bears only picked five players in April’s draft but added a pair of cornerbacks in Duke Shelley (6-Kansas State) and Stephen Denmark (7b-Valdosta State).

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Analysis: Those expecting a big-time falloff with the departure of Fangio may be very disappointed. Pagano will put his own spin on this unit and you could make a strong case that the Bears feature the best front-seven in the league. While the Bears may have difficulty duplicating a few of last season’s numbers, their dominance may come in other ways. Even minus a few performers from a year ago, there’s defensive talent to spare in the Windy City.

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