High Need for Cornerback Help

The Bears need someone at two cornerback spots to start so Jaylon Johnson can be used properly instead of making him chase top receivers all over the field.

No single position on the Bears roster in 2021 produced results as poor as cornerback.

Even though quarterbacks struggled greatly to achieve any consistency and combined for an embarrassing 75.5 passer efficiency rating the cornerbacks endured an even worse season.

It's a major reason the new Bears GM needs to be looking to upgrade at this spot with two or even three more quality players in free agency and the draft.

Starting right cornerback Jaylon Johnson might as well have "right" eliminated from his position. He had to line up all over the field, even in the slot. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai matched Johnson up on the best opposing receiver and this is both an honor as well as statement about how far Johnson has come in two year.

It's also a statement about the quality of the starting left cornerback and slot cornerback that Johnson needed to be used this way. The Bears defensive scheme conjured up by Vic Fangio works best with heavy zone emphasis, particularly cover-3, and plenty of disguised coverage. It's difficult to disguise anything or play cover-3 as much as desired when the best cornerback is being moved all over the field.

The ideal situation is for Johnson to remain in his place and the team to upgrade its other cornerbacks.

The Bears defense had a 103.3 passer rating against this season, last in the NFL. Kindle Vildor had the most plays besides Johnson at 821 total and according to official NFL stat partner Sportradar, he had a 136.1 passer rating against and six touchdown passes allowed. Artie Burns had 254 plays and allowed two TDs, but did produce a relatively high six pass defenses. He also allowed two touchdowns. Rookie Thomas Graham Jr. had a respectable 94.8 passer rating against but got on the field for only 112 plays as he was a practice squad player who allowed a touchdown pass and played in four games.

Backup slot cornerback Xavier Crawford had 139 plays on defense with a 142 passer rating against and 73.3% completions allowed with three touchdown passes.

Slot starter Duke Shelley showed some improvement but missed a big chunk of the season due to injuries and illness with 10 games played. he had a 100.0 passer rating against and 74.4% completions allowed with only three pass defenses.

The only cornerback on the roster who made an interception was Johnson, and he made one. It was the second straight season they had one interception from a cornerback.

The Need: The Bears could use a taller, young and fast cornerback to compete for starting right cornerback, most likely through the draft but this takes developmental time. They must also upgrade in free agency because the backups, with the exception of Graham, show little hope for the future at this position.

Cornerback Report Card

Kindle Vildor, 2nd year

USA Today

2021 Stats: 4 pass defenses, 46 tackles, played 78% of defensive snaps, 136.1 passer rating against, 69.5% completions and 6 TDs allowed.

For Better or Worse: He didn't have much role the previous year until season's end when he played due to injuries, but he definitely failed to live up to expectations as a starter because coaches benched him after 10 starts. He returned later and started two more due to COVID or injuries.

2022 Status: Playing on first contract.

Grade: D-

Jaylon Johnson, 2nd year

USA Today

2021 Stats: 9 pass defenses, one forced fumble, one interception, 46 tackles, 101.9 passer rating against, 59.7% completions and 5 TDs allowed.

For Better or Worse: It was a better year as his responsibilities expanded and he became a leader of the defense. He guarded the best receivers each week willingly, and moved all around the defensive backfield, which is difficult and should be unnecessary.

2022 Status: Under first contract.

Grade: B+

Duke Shelley, 3rd year

USA Today

2021 Stats: 3 pass defenses, 37 tackles, 100.0 passer rating allowed when targeted, 74.4% completions with no TDs allowed.

For Better or Worse: Played it safe far too much and his completion percentage shows it at 74.4, and as a slot corner he needs to do better than an 11.9% missed-tackle rate. He did enough toward season's end, especially with big game against Pittsburgh, to at least warrant a shot at slot in the future but the team needs to bring someone in to play here or provide serious competition.

2022 Status: On rookie contract.

Grade: C

Thomas Graham Jr., rookie

USA Today

2021 Stats: 13 tackles, 4 pass defenses, 94.8 passer rating against when targeted, 50% completions (6 of-12) and 1 TD allowed.

For Better or Worse: Considering he made 13 tackles and four pass defenses in only four games, you have to wonder why they had him on the practice squad for so long. He didn't get to play until the final four games. His production was better than backups and better than one of the starters per snaps played. He gave up a long touchdown to DK Metcalf but a 94.8 rating is solid for a rookie who played just 112 defensive snaps.

2022 Status: On rookie contract.

Grade: C+

Artie Burns, fifth year

USA Today

2021 Stats: 6 pass defenses, 23 tackles, played 39% of defensive snaps, a 115.1 passer rating against, 65.4% completions and two TDs allowed.

For Better or Worse: Coming off an ACL tear Burns did an admirable job as a stop-gap replacement after Vildor's benching. While his numbers weren't great, he played half as many snaps as Vildor and had two more pass defenses. Projected over the same amount of time as Vildor he would have had 12 pass defenses, which is strong. Definitely he picqued interest for a roster spot going forward, and if he continues to regain knee strength after the ACL tear he could be a long-term answer as a starter or backup.

2022 Status: Unrestricted free agent.

Grade: C

Xavier Crawford, third season

USA Today

2021 Stats: 15 tackles. Played 17% of defensive snaps and allowed a 142.2 passer rating when targeted with 73.3% completions and three TDs.

For Better or Worse: Was a real detriment in coverage, considering he was targeted only 15 times and three of the 11 completions he allowed went for touchdowns. He did play special teams but it wouldn't be hard to upgrade this backup position.

2022 Status: Exclusive rights free agent.

Grade: D-

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