Bilal Nichols

Nichols racked up a career-high 51 tackles (26 solo) and three sacks in 17 games during his fourth season with the Bears last year, but the versatile 290-pounder signed a two-year, $11 million contract in Las Vegas this offseason. He should be a key contributor along the Raiders' defensive line, though Nichols began training camp on the PUP list due to an undisclosed injury.

Nichols enters the last year of his rookie contract after being selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. He's seen his snaps increase in each of his seasons with the team, and in 2020, he played 591 snaps while posting career highs in tackles (40) and sacks (five). He's currently expected to start at defensive end, and if his snaps continue to climb, he could be a sneaky IDP option who can contribute both tackles and sacks.

After being selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. Nichols played 327 snaps and recorded 28 tackles to go with three sacks. With his strong season, he's earned the No. 1 spot on the depth chart at defensive end, and with the presence of Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd on the defense, he should be able to get sack opportunities so that he can build on his strong rookie season. In IDP leagues, he's not a player who'll be drafted by most, but if he gets off to a hot start, he'll be a player to monitor as a waiver addition.

Nichols joins the Bears after being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. He showed excellent athleticism for a 306-pound player by posting a 4.95-second 40 and a 7.45-second three-cone drill. Should his athleticism show well in the preseason, he could immediately contribute to the defense as a rotational player with potential to produce as a pass rusher. However, he'll need to work his way into a starting role before being considered a solid IDP option.