The Chicago Bears have made some splash signings through NFL Free Agency such as Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Trey Burton, while managing to lock down a few of their own players. Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy and Vic Fangio have done a great job identifying their needs and attacking them so far.
However, the Bears only have 62 players on their roster right now and need to go up to 90 by the end of July. So, there’s still a lot of room to add players to the roster. Plus, the Bears are still sitting at a healthy $28.5M left in cap room.
Quick cap update. By my calculations (with Freeman still in the picture until he can pass a physical to be cut) #Bears have around $28.5M left in cap space before draft expenses.
Currently have Timu & McManis' contracts counted as projections. https://t.co/OTvaQZrZfM https://t.co/9Rm3MTs7qD
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) March 23, 2018
In this second wave of Free Agency, who could the Bears still add? What needs do the Bears still have before going into the NFL Draft? (Listed below in no particular order).
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Running Back
Even with the amazing duo of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen, affectionately dubbed the “Hebrew & The Hammer” (see video below), the Bears still need depth behind them. Benny Cunningham proved to be a valuable depth piece last year, but he’s currently still a free agent. This remains a need moving forward and one that can be filled with a cheap one-year deal or a late draft pick.
Solutions: Charles Sims (FA), Alfred Blue (FA), Branden Oliver (FA), Royce Freeman (Draft), John Kelly (Draft)
Wide Receiver
Based on recent years, the feeling in Halas Hall has to be that they can’t have too many quality wide receivers. Even with the signings of Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, they can still stand to add some bodies to the Wide Receiver room. Cameron Meredith isn’t a guarantee to be back on the team as he’s an RFA, Kevin White isn’t a guarantee to play at all with his injury history, and Josh Bellamy is a Special Teams player who doesn’t appear to be happy in his role. They don’t have to spend an early round pick on the position anymore, but they could still look to address this position in the draft.
Solutions: Kendall Wright (FA), Keke Coutee (Draft), Dante Pettis (Draft), Michael Gallup (Draft), Cedrick Wilson (Draft)
Offensive Tackle
While Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie played well enough to have their spots secured for next season, there’s a need for depth behind them. Bradley Sowell is back with the team, but one depth signing or later draft pick would serve the Bears well.
Solutions: Austin Howard (FA), Greg Robinson (FA), Jamarco Jones (Draft), Brian O’Neill (Draft), Alex Cappa (Draft)
Center
Cody Whitehair will play his best if he’s able to focus on one position and not be asked to shift posisitions multiple times in a season. While he played well at Center, his best spot on the line is at Guard. Be looking for the Bears to target this position early on in the draft with the release of Josh Sitton and Hroniss Grasu being no more than an average starter.
Solutions: James Daniels (Draft), Billy Price (Draft), Frank Ragnow (Draft), Mason Cole (Draft)
Defensive Line
Opposite Akiem Hicks, Jonathan Bullard is projected to be the current starter. While he played well last year, the Bears could certainly stand to upgrade this position either through Free Agency or the Draft. But, let’s be honest, free agency is looking a little bare at this point. Also with the players in the draft, it’s hard to project where they would fit best (scheme-wise), but the Bears would be wise to look at these players.
Note: Jonathan Hankins is expected to meet with the Bears next week.
Solutions: Jonathan Hankins (FA), Da’Ron Payne (Draft), Taven Bryan (Draft), BJ Hill (Draft), Justin Jones (Draft), Poona Ford (Draft)
Edge Rusher
This doesn’t need much of an explanation. The Bears need pass-rushers.
Solutions: Lamarr Houston (FA), Courtney Upshaw (FA), Harold Landry (Draft), Bradley Chubb (Draft), Lorenzo Carter (Draft), Jeff Holland (Draft), Hercules Mata’afa (Draft)
OLB Jeff Holland, 6-2, 250 lbs, uses hands very well, and is always bringing that heat. Can’t forget about him. #SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/HCOcvAnFQy
— Steel Legends (@Steel_Legends) March 13, 2018
Cornerback
Depending on whether or not someone swoops in and signs Bryce Callahan to an offer sheet, this position could become an immediate need in the draft. As it stands right now, the Bears are able to address this with another quality signing or address it on Day 3 of the Draft.
Solutions: Jeremy Lane (FA), Isaiah Oliver (Draft), Mike Hughes (Draft), D.J. Reed (Draft), Levi Wallace (Draft), Anthony Averett (Draft)
Safety
Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos look like they’re here to finally provide the Bears with decent Safety help for the first time in years. (It still won’t be enough to get the scowl off my face whenever I hear the name “Chris Conte” though). But there’s a lack of depth behind them. Deon Bush is alright, but they could stand an upgrade behind this dynamic duo.
Solutions: Kenny Vaccaro (FA), Eric Reid (FA), Tre Boston (FA), Jessie Bates (Draft), Jordan Whitehead (Draft), Jeremy Reaves (Draft), Marcus Allen (Draft)
The best part about reading this article is that there are only one or two glaring holes for the Bears to fill. Ryan Pace has done a great job of filling out this roster so he can go into the draft and select the best player on the board.
Time to sit back and see what the Chicago Bears have up their sleeves.
