Chicago Bears: Reassessing Draft Needs After First Wave of Free Agency
The first wave of free agency is done. How do you think the Bears did? They managed to fill some needs but still have a few holes to work on.
General manager Ryan Pace is looking to walk a fine line of bringing in high value veterans with players in the NFL draft who can contribute this season and beyond.
With outside linebacker Pernell McPhee on board and wide receiver Brandon Marshall now in New York, draft needs have altered for the Bears. Click ahead as we reassess the team's needs after the first few days of free agency.
Right Tackle
Right tackle is still an issue for the Bears. As the roster currently stands, Charles Leno, Jordan Mills, Michael Ola and Jason Weaver are the options to start.
There's still time for the Bears to bring in a bargain veteran free agent, but they could look for a potential long term option in the draft.
Florida State's Cameron Erving is an interesting player. In his senior year, he moved from tackle to center and excelled. Considering the Bears also need a center, he fits a need in two spots.
Erving can stay inside when he gets to the NFL or go back to right tackle. The good thing about him is he's an NFL-caliber offensive lineman who will find a fit. If the Bears draft him, they can take their time figuring out which spot works best for him long-term.
Inside Linebacker
Jon Bostic figures to be a starter for the Bears inside, but they could use some help when the team shows a 3-4 look.
Recent rumors from ESPN.com's Michael C. Wright had the Bears interested in Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Mason Foster but a deal has not gotten done.
There's no need to spend an early pick on an inside linebacker but if the team gets to the fourth round and sees a guy like Michigan State's Taiwan Jones on the board then they should pull the trigger.
Jones is a big linebacker with potential three-down ability. He plays hard against the run and shows good agility in pass defense. Jones would be a nice addition alongside Bostic in the middle.
Nose Tackle
The price for solid defensive tackles around the NFL has gotten steep. The Bears haven't splurged on one and don't really need to right now with Ego Ferguson and Jay Ratliff still on the roster.
Ferguson might be more of a defensive end in this new system and Ratliff is older and injury prone. The Bears might be interested in Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton in the first round, but there are plenty of options in the later rounds.
One option is Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips. He's a prototypical nose tackle who has surprising burst for his size. It's tough right now to gauge where Phillips might go, but he looks to be a second or third-round prospect.
Wide Receiver
Eddie Royal was brought in after the Bears traded Brandon Marshall to the Jets, but there's still a hole at wide receiver.
Royal is more of a slot receiver meaning the Bears don't have anybody to lineup outside opposite Alshon Jeffery. Wide receiver is one of the deepest positions in the draft, but the Bears might not wait long to take one.
Yes, the Bears have needs on defense and there are a ton of edge-rushers but what if Alabama's Amari Cooper is the best player on the board?
Cooper is a very real option for the Bears at seventh overall. He is a polished receiver who could form a formidable duo with Jeffery for years to come. He very well could grade out higher than one of the remaining edge-rushers.
Outside Linebacker
The Bears made a big splash when they signed Pernell McPhee. He's an edge-rusher but has a ton of versatility to move around and wreak havoc.
McPhee's ability to play multiple positions allows the Bears to still target an edge-rusher who can fire through the line of scrimmage and tee off on quarterbacks and set the edge in the running game.
There aren't too many defensive cornerstones on the Bears so it makes sense to take another guy in the first round to go with McPhee and last year's first-round pick Kyle Fuller.
Clemson's Vic Beasley has the potential to be a special player in this defense. He's an explosive athlete who would benefit from guys like Lamarr Houston, Jay Ratliff and McPhee immediately around him.
If Beasley is on the board at seven then he makes all the sense in the world for the Bears.