Upgrade or Downgrade: Making the Call on the Chicago Bears' Offseason Additions

There's no doubt general manager Ryan Pace is taking a different approach to free agency. He's trying to bring in a group of veterans who have something to prove and hope they knock it out of the park for the Chicago Bears. 

It's smart because these guys are looking for their next big pay day, so the Bears could reap the benefits of strong play from some hungry football players. 

How have they done so far? There are a ton of new additions to the defense, and the overall consensus is the group is much improved. Click ahead as you go through each acquisition and find out if each move was an upgrade or a downgrade. 

Pernell McPhee was the Bears' only big splash free-agent pickup. The 26-year-old pass-rusher had 7.5 sacks for the Ravens in a reserve role. 

McPhee now jumps into the starting role and is expected to be a cornerstone in the Bears' new 3-4 system. He replaces Chicago legend Lance Briggs, who won't return to the team. 

Briggs will go down as one of the greatest linebackers in team history but certainly lost a few steps over the past few years. McPhee was a good signing for the Bears and is a definite upgrade over Briggs at this point. 

Even with 10 years in the NFL, Antrel Rolle has some tread left on the tires and can still be a big contributor. 

The Bears have had issues at safety ever since Mike Brown left. Rolle isn't a long-term answer, but he's a better option to start at strong safety than Ryan Mundy. 

Mundy had an OK year last season, but he's basically a backup on an above-average defense.

If Rolle can remain consistency, then it's a good signing; however, if he can get back to his 2013 Pro Bowl form, then it becomes a total slam dunk for the Bears. 

Let's get one thing straight: Eddie Royal isn't the answer to replace Brandon Marshall. That guy could come in the first round of this year's draft, but that's another story. 

Royal was brought in to fill two glaring holes the Bears had last year. He'll provide some underneath help in the passing game with deep-threat capability, and he's a respectable return man who will keep teams honest. 

There's no question signing Royal was a good move. Versatility and veteran leadership are what he brings to the table. He has a successful past with Jay Cutler and can only help guys like Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett get better looks. 

Injuries hit the Bears offensive line hard last year. By the time the season finished, the team had revolving doors at left guard and right tackle. 

Vlad Ducasse is no more than a backup, but he's still serviceable. He can line up all over the line and has taken plenty of snaps as a third blocking tight end. He essentially replaces Eben Britton but has more value if injuries pop up again.  

Considering it's only a one-year deal, Ducasse's signing is largely indifferent. He's an upgrade over what was on the team last year due to his experience but not by much. 

Chad Rempel and Brandon Hartson clearly weren't the answers to replace the great Patrick Mannelly. The Bears have now turned to a guy with a lot more experience to fill the void.

Since 2009, Thomas Gafford has been a starting long snapper for the Kansas City Chiefs. He most recently worked with former Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub, which should sit well with Bears fans.

Gafford is an underrated signing. Solidifying the special teams with a leader like him can never be understated.

Ray McDonald's history with the law made this signing somewhat controversial. He is a talented player and has a history with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, so on the field the signing makes sense. 

McDonald isn't replacing anyone, but he helps the Bears transition to this new defense. He brings 19.5 career sacks to the table. 

This is only a one-year deal, so the risk is fairly low for the Bears. If he stays on the straight and narrow and performs well, then the Bears will look like geniuses for taking the risk. 

Jarvis Jenkins is a former second-round pick who is looking to resurrect his career in a different city. He left Washington, hoping to shine in Chicago's defense and get more than a one-year contract in 2016. 

Given the fact Jenkins is only 26, the Bears are doing the right thing by taking a shot on a guy with some talent. He will have plenty of competition at defensive end, but his size (6'4", 315 lbs) is exactly what the team needs. 

It still remains to be seen whether Jenkins can make this team and have an impact, but there's no way this move can hurt the Bears. 

Mason Foster isn't a marquee inside linebacker, but he has some upside and could pair well with Jon Bostic. 

Foster is replacing D.J. Williams, who didn't give the Bears much during his tenure with the team. Even with Foster coming on board, the team could look for an inside linebacker in the draft. 

If Foster can stay healthy and post more than 70 tackles in 2015, then this would become a great signing for the Bears. As of right now, he's just another guy who will compete for a starting spot, which makes the signing average at best. 

Alan Ball couldn't stay healthy for the Jaguars last year, but he's been solid corner in the league with starting experience. 

Ball's greatest asset to the Bears is his 6'2", 197-pound size. The NFC North has some bigger receivers, and Tim Jennings regressed last year while trying to keep up with some of them. 

The Bears desperately need depth at corner with Charles Tillman not coming back. Ball adds that and can push for some serious playing time. It's a solid signing for the Bears. 

The last time Sam Acho was on the field he had seven tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in a playoff game for Arizona against the Panthers. 

Acho is more than just another name added to the outside linebacker mix. He's a smart and talented linebacker who tackles well and can cover in space. The Bears hit a home run with this signing. 

Bringing Acho in creates some interesting training camp battles. It also allows the Bears to be more creative with guys like Jared Allen, Pernell McPhee and Lamarr Houston.

Acho, like many of the Bears' defensive free-agent signings, is still young (26) and looking for that elusive long-term deal. That could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Bears as they get the absolute best out of him this season.