Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

The Chicago Bears have faced a challenge trying to find a competent safety via free agency or the draft over the course of the last decade-plus, but they may have found a long-term solution at free safety in rookie Adrian Amos.

The Bears took the former Penn State Nittany Lion in the fifth round of this year's draft, and he was viewed as a good value pick at No. 142.

"Amos is rangy and athletic who consistently reads his keys correctly from multiple alignments," wrote NFL.com's Mark Dulgerian. "Chicago needed some defensive back depth, and he is the type of versatile athlete that strengthens the unit. Solid value here."

Amos was a four-year contributor at Penn State and made starts at cornerback, nickelback and safety.

Amos' Penn State Career Year Total Tackles Tackles for Loss Sacks Interceptions 2011 13 0 0 1 2012 44 2.5 0.5 2 2013 50 4 2.5 1 2014 41 2.5 0 1 Sports-Reference.com

The rookie defensive back entered OTAs behind second-year man Brock Vereen and veteran Ryan Mundy on the depth chart at free safety, but after Vereen faltered in the first preseason game of the year, Amos got the start in the second preseason contest against the Indianapolis Colts.

"It's just a great opportunity," Amos said after his start against the Colts, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. "It's a time to get better. You get more comfortable out there. It's about experience. I'm just learning and taking it all in."

Amos remained with the starters through the remainder of the preseason, and he notched his first career start against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 at Soldier Field. Before the start of the regular season, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio noted Amos wasn't given the starting job, rather he earned it with his strong play during training camp and the preseason.

"The cupboard was bare here, and we didn't give it to Adrian," Fangio said, per Biggs. "He came in and earned it. He's just getting more comfortable with everything. He's definitely on the upswing."

According to Pro Football Focus, Amos has played all 512 snaps on defense this season and has registered a plus-3.2 overall grade. In eight games this year, he has recorded 31 tackles and one pass deflection.

Amos does not have flashy numbers and has not come away with a takeaway this season, so why is he considered Chicago's top rookie on defense?

Ability to Attack Downhill

Gary Landers/Associated Press

When he entered the draft this offseason, Amos was viewed as a player who lacked physicality, particularly against the run.

"Doesn't display great sense of urgency in run support," wrote NFL.com's Lance Zierlein in Amos' draft profile. "Takes suspect angles against run from high to low and when lined up near line of scrimmage. Will throw body at runner, but carries no sting behind pads, sliding down target and finishing tackle near ankles at times."

In Amos' eight starts this season, he has been one of the team's best against the run.

During Chicago's Week 8 contest against the Minnesota Vikings, Amos made one of his most impressive tackles of the season in the third quarter.

The Vikings lined up with All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson in the backfield, and Amos moved down into the box to defend against the run:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Fullback Zach Line motioned into the backfield before the snap of the ball to act as Peterson's lead blocker, and Peterson attempted to run to the left side of the formation between the tight end and left tackle:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Amos stood his ground and waited long enough for the play to develop in front of him before attacking downhill and tackling Peterson for no gain:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Credit: NFL Game Pass

The rookie free safety received praise from CBSChicago.com's Dan Durkin after the game for his willingness to take on Peterson in the running game:

Amos has played assertively against the run all season long, and 670 The Score's Matt Spiegel noted the young safety is able to play both aggressively and in control:

Amos has played with solid technique all season long and does a nice job of wrapping up tacklers. He does have a tendency to throw his shoulder into a ball-carrier at times to make a big stop, but more often than not, he squares up an opponent before making the tackle.

While Amos' ability against the run has been his strong suit this season, he still has a chance to develop into being a productive all-around safety because of his consistency and versatility.

Consistency and Versatility

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Amos has not been tested much against the pass this season, but he has been a consistent contributor every time he steps out onto the field. That consistency caught the eye of Bleacher Report's Dan Pompei:

Comparing Amos to former starting safety Chris Harris might not seem like the highest of praise, but the Bears' former fifth-round pick in 2005 started Super Bowl XLI at strong safety for Chicago and was a second-team All-Pro in 2010.

Amos has been a stabilizing force for a defense that has struggled with injuries and overall performance on the field this season, and he is quickly becoming a player the team can rely on to make a play when needed.

He matched up with wide receivers, tight ends and running backs in the passing game during his time at Penn State, and he has all the necessary tools to be an effective pass defender at the NFL level. The Bears have used him primarily as a deep safety in obvious passing situations, but Fangio has also used him as a blitzer off the edge this season.

In Week 8 against Minnesota, Amos walked down near the line of scrimmage as if he was going to play the slot receiver in man coverage:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

The Vikings shifted tight end Kyle Rudolph back toward the formation, and Amos moved down as if he was going to cover Rudolph:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

On the snap of the ball, Rudolph chipped outside linebacker Pernell McPhee off the edge, and Amos got a clean break off the line of scrimmage toward Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Even though Amos was able to get his hands on Bridgewater, he failed to bring him down for the sack:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

ESPN.com's Matt Bowen later explained Amos' mistake on the blitz:

Amos has the skill set to be an effective blitzer off the edge in certain situations, but he needs to do a better job of attacking the quarterback instead of trying to square him up. Even though he was not able to come away with the sack on Bridgewater, Amos was able to disrupt the play, and the Vikings were forced to punt.

The more comfortable Amos gets at the position moving forward, the more responsibilities Fangio will give him. Because of his history of playing both cornerback and nickelback in college, Fangio could conceivably use him out of the slot on occasion later this season or next season in various sub-packages.

Amos' strong rookie season should give Bears fans hope for the future because of his ability to play downhill against the run, and if he can continue to play with consistency and become a versatile part of Fangio's defense, he has a chance to be one of Chicago's building blocks on defense for years to come.

Statistical information courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise noted.



Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.

Follow @MattEurich.