Second-round pick nose tackle Eddie Goldman is "exactly what the Chicago Bears needed" to successfully begin their transition to a 3-4 defense, according to ESPN NFL Front Office Insider Louis Riddick
, who listed Goldman as one the six best rookie-team matches from the 2015 draft.
A former NFL player and 12-year scout and director of pro personnel, Riddick thinks Goldman is well-positioned to succeed early in his career in Chicago. Although the team in not required to release a depth chart until the preseason -- and even then, NFL depth charts released to the media are generally filled with inaccuracies -- Goldman is likely the No. 2 nose tackle on the defense behind only veteran Jeremiah Ratliff, who the Bears believe can play multiple positions on the defensive line.
"He's big and strong, which is important," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of Goldman. "We don't feel like he'll get knocked back into our inside linebackers, which is really important. That's job No. 1 for any of the three guys up front. We feel like he's strong and is able to get off blocks and make some plays in there, and hopefully we can get some pass rush out of him, too."
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Goldman started two years at Florida State where he recorded 35 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and four sacks in his junior year before declaring for the draft. Goldman left college with six sacks in 37 career games.
Goldman said at rookie minicamp that he relishes the idea of lining up at nose tackle in the NFL.
"As long as you don't mind being physical and as long as you can dish out punishment, that's all there is to it," Goldman said.
Goldman, who signed a four-year, $5,686,314 contract prior to rookie minicamp, is presently working alongside his veteran teammates in phase two of the Bears’ voluntary offseason program.