The Chicago Bears‘ roster moves have slowed in the last week, and with the pool of available free agents shrinking and the NFL Draft about a month away, I asked our team for their thoughts on the team’s number one need.
Here’s what we had to say.
Defensive end
Jeff Berckes: Edge. The Bears could go into the season with what’s on the roster, but good defenses rotate 7 to 8 guys regularly on their defensive line to optimize their reps and keep them fresh. The Bears have three worthy DTs and 2.5 worthy Edge defenders. They need to keep adding beef.
Josh Sunderbruch: Teams need to have at least three guys who can rotate through the position, and for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the third guy is going to probably take 30-40% of the snaps. Last year’s #3 was Austin Booker at barely 25%. Odeyingbo will presumably replace Walker, but unless Booker takes a major step up, Chicago is short one edge defender.
Bryan Orenchuk: With the release of DeMarcus Walker and the subsequent acquisition of Dayo Odeyingbo, we essentially ended up where we first started: In need of a pass rush threat opposite Sweat. After all the additions to OL and DT, DE has become the biggest need in my mind.
Sam Householder: You need many bodies there to rotate and keep guys fresh. The Bears have made moves, but they could still use a 1A rusher to compliment Tez. Dayo is a bit of an unknown, but there isn’t anyone other than Grady who will likely command double teams.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: You can never have enough pass rushers, so finding another player to get after the quarterback is a must. While I think they’ll add another on the interior, I think defensive end is the bigger need. Sweat and Odeyingbo are a nice starting duo off the edge, but Booker is still too unproven as a prospect to be the number three.
Running back
Mason West: Could the Bears play a game today? Yes. Between Swift and Roschon they could survive, especially if you add in a scheme change and better o-line play. That being said, Roschon’s concussions have clearly had a negative impact on him and Swift was bottom of the league in Rushing Yards Over Expected (-174) and 3rd worst rushing efficiency according to NextGen Stats.
Linebacker
TJ Starman: Stealthily, it might be linebacker, which makes letting Jack Sanborn walk and sign with the Dallas Cowboys for just $1.5 Million a little painful. I’ll give Dennis Allen and the new coaching staff the benefit of the doubt on that decision, but the fact is the Bears don’t have much depth behind Tremaine Edmunds, who has struggled to live up to his massive contract and could be a cut candidate next offseason and T.J. Edwards, who is on the last year of his deal. Swayze Bozeman, Carl Jones, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Noah Sewell don’t inspire much confidence.
Safety
Mongo Peanut: I don’t think the Bears have a long-term answer at either safety position. Brisker is good when healthy but has serious health concerns due to concussions sustained. Kevin Byard has been a good veteran presence but is likely in the twilight of his career and has one year remaining on his deal. Add in Hicks and Owens, and the Bears top four Safeties leave a lot to be desired. A safety in the 2nd round should not be out of the question.
Left tackle
Erik Duerrwaechter: Ryan Poles was less than subtle about adding competition against Braxton Jones, and per Brad Biggs, along with others, the Bears did at least kick the tires on the thought of landing Ravens Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley if he didn’t re-sign with Baltimore. They could very well add a veteran like D.J. Humphries in the near future or even explore yet another trade. I do think the actual competition/replacement is more likely to be drafted within the Bears’ first three picks later this spring.