The Emergence of Jack Sanborn

Sanborn was picked up as an undrafted free agent. He first impressed us and the coaches during this year's preseason. Now, since the trade of Roquan Smith to the Ravens, Sanborn has stepped in and stepped up. In weeks 9-12,
Sanborn is now the league leader in solo tackles. He fits perfectly in Coach Eberflus' defensive scheme. The man can hustle.

The question becomes now: Is Jack Sanborn a full-time starter next year? Has he shown enough to earn his spot? Is it too soon to tell? Here are three clips that we can break down.

The Falcons run a counter. Sanborn's read steps are with the fullback, he doesn't look at the pulling guard or the down blocks by the left guard and center. As soon as he sees Patterson take the handoff to the left he plants his foot and changes direction. Patterson has a jump on him but has to navigate giving Sanborn time to run him down and his first contact is a ball punch. Poor start with a great finish. The result is a TFL.

Sanborn reads pass, takes a drop, opens his hips, and looks to the trips side. He locks up on the tight end, gets a hand, turns his hips, and stays with him as he runs a curl. Sanborn gets his eyes up and steps up. The result is an INT.

The last play here is a blitz from depth. His first step is downhill, gets his hands on the awaiting guard to keep separation, and gives a side-step with a swat. The guard gives him a push but Sanborn was able to keep his feet under him and again his first contact with Goff was a ball punch, he then slides down into a gator roll. The result is a sack.

From what we've seen so far if Sanborn can keep his motor running and learn to read the offensive line, he has what it takes to be a starter. I absolutely love that his first contact on tackles is a Peanut Punch. He is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with a motor that doesn't stop. But much like was mentioned on the Football After Show by former Bears DE Alex Smith, if Sanborn were a first-round pick, are we having this conversation? Is it only because he is an undrafted free agent signing that we question if he starts next season?

I look for Jack Sanborn to be a defensive staple in the Bears' rebuild.