We’re kicking off a 4 part WCG roundtable about free agency.
The number one offensive guard in free agency is the Kansas City Chiefs’ Trey Smith, and whether he stays in K.C. or moves on, he’ll likely reset the market with his deal. The Philadelphia Eagles’ Landon Dickerson, at $21 million a year, is the highest-paid guard, so expect Smith, who just made the Pro Bowl, in that same ballpark.
Smith has been the hope for Chicago Bears fans for months. He’d fit in perfectly on Chicago’s offensive line next to right tackle Danrell Wright, who was his teammate with the Tennessee Volunteers for two years.
The Chiefs would want him back, but right now, they don’t have the cap space. They’d need to do a lot — and I mean a lot — of roster shuffling to find the money to pay Smith, but if that somehow happens, or if he chooses to go elsewhere, who is your plan B free agent for the Bears?
I asked our team that question, and here’s who we’d like the Bears to target if Trey Smith isn’t an option.
Josh Sunderbruch: While playing for Ben Johnson himself in Detroit, Kevin Zeitler has only 11 blown blocks on 1007 snaps, which is a better rate than Smith’s 24 on 1038 blocks; the margin favors him even more with only 7 block blocks on 558 pass reps compared to 30 on 660 pass reps for Smith. Zeitler is a little long in the tooth, but he probably has at least a year or two of tread left on the tires.
Mongo Peanut: If the Bears don’t get Trey Smith, they have to get another established veteran on the OL interior, so I would go with Will Fries. However, he had a season ending injury last season, so if his physical is cloudy, then I would go after Kevin Zeitler. So you asked for a Plan B, and I gave you B & C.
Aaron Leming: Right now, objectives No. 1, 2, and 3 need to be figuring out the interior offensive line. Similar to the Bears head coaching search, it wouldn’t be wise for anyone to pigeonhole their thought process by zeroing in with a single player. With that in mind, if Smith doesn’t end up in Chicago, Plan B should be simple: Go out and get the next best guard. For me, that’s either Will Fries or Mekhi Becton.
TJ Starman: Drew Dalman. The Bears obviously need to lay the groundwork to solidify both sides of the line of scrimmage this offseason, and while everyone is right to eye Smith as the main interior OL prize, I think adding Dalman as a veteran Center could also satisfy a certain amount of leadership in that o-line room.
Erik Duerrwaechter: In terms of top target? I’d go with Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Staley, as he’s set to hit the market as well, and would provide for a real upgrade over Braxton Jones. My plan B for guard would be Mekhi Becton.
Bryan Orenchuk: This is easy for me as my Plan B simply slides into my Plan A which would be Drew Dalman, Center from Atlanta. Center is arguably more of a need than G and Dalman is young enough to grow with Caleb and the offense for years to come.
Ryan Droste: It’s all about interior OL for the Bears this offseason, followed closely by the DL. Through some combination of the draft and FA, we have to get the interior figured out, and with Ben Johnson coming in, I’m starting on offense. So, if I’m looking at the best available Guard or Center in FA after Trey Smith, I’m looking at Drew Dalman from Atlanta. I think it’s more likely the Bears will get an immediate starter at Guard in the draft than a Center, so I’m rolling with Dalman, who is just 26 years old, to fill a need that the Bears have seemingly had ever since Olin retired.
Jacob Infante: Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. I would love for the Bears to make some sort of splash signing in the trenches, and Williams brings a tremendous combination of production, athleticism, pass-rushing value up the middle, and a young age that indicates his best football is still ahead of him. I’d anticipate his salary range would be similar to what Smith ends up with.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: I’ve been so fixated on offensive line, I never thought the Bears could pivot their huge free agent offer to defense, but that could be fun. However, that said, if Trey Smith isn’t a viable option, then the Bears should go after Drew Dalman. Much oiks Smith’s market, Dalman could end up the top paid center after he signs his contract.
Now it’s your turn. If the Chiefs figure out their cap, or if Trey Smith chooses to go elsewhere, who is your plan B top choice for the Bears?