People love to do mock drafts for the next year right after the current draft ends. They sort of set the tone for what’s to come. Fans always enjoy looking ahead. So what about free agency? It’s arguably just as important as the draft in terms of turning a franchise into a winner yet people rarely do extensive glances ahead as they do for the draft. Not this time. Let’s look at some possible Chicago Bears 2019 free agent targets.
In order to do that it’s best to determine first what the biggest needs for the team will be. They did a fine job this off-season of covering most of the issues that plagued them in 2017. Still, it’s almost never perfect and certain positions are left unsatisfied. Chicago is no different. The three positions that stand out as not attended to enough are edge rusher (by far), offensive tackle and the defensive line.
Does the 2019 free agent market have any options to help fix them?
EDGE RUSHER
Khalil Mack
This is the golden ticket. In other words, the odds of getting him are astronomically low. So why is Mack even on the list. It’s been noted that he’s currently in a contract standoff with the Oakland Raiders. Such things aren’t atypical but it’s still interesting. With a new man running the show in Jon Gruden, there’s a slight possibility the All-Pro might force his way out of town. If so, the Bears should throw all the money ever at him.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Danielle Hunter
Another of those young, highly productive rushers who feels like a major unlikely option to reach the market. Danielle Hunter has become the primary force behind the Minnesota Vikings defensive line when it comes to attacking the quarterback. In three years he has 25.5 sacks. The scary part is he’ll only be 24-years old next year and won’t turn 25 until October. He’s still rising.
Frank Clark
Clark is mostly known for doing one thing for Seattle but he does it really well. Over the past two seasons, he has 19 sacks and has become one of the underrated pass rushers in the league. He’s spent his time as a 4-3 defensive end, so it’s worth wondering if he can make the switch to outside linebacker without losing his productivity.
Dee Ford
Kansas City is playing the waiting game on Ford. They’re hanging onto him for one more year to see if he can turn the corner on the health front. The young outside linebacker hasn’t been able to stay on the field through his first few seasons save for 2016 when he managed to notch 10 sacks. He’s solid when his body is right but thus far he’s proven unreliable.
Markus Golden
Another health risk. Markus Golden was solid and dependable his first two years, peaking with 12.5 sacks in 2016. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL last season after just four games. Now the Cardinals are transitioning away from the 3-4 defense he was drafted into and going with a 4-3. This could force him to leave next year in hopes of finding a more familiar scheme.
Shaquil Barrett
Sometimes for a player, it’s less about lack of talent and more about lack of opportunity. Shaquil Barrett has been stuck on the Broncos depth chart for some time. First, it was behind future Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware and then first round pick Shane Ray. Yet in his limited chances, he’s found ways to produce. The last three years he has 11 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Ja’Wuan James
Word persisted that the Miami Dolphins almost traded James this off-season but decided to hold off. This basically confirms that he’s likely done in 2019 when his contract expires. It’s hard to figure out what happened since he played so well to start his career. Perhaps he just needs a fresh start. Reuniting with his college coach Harry Hiestand in Chicago would certainly appeal to him.
Donovan Smith
One of the more underappreciated success stories going around. Smith has developed into a quality blocker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, doing a fine job helping to keep Jameis Winston upright. It’s unlikely they let him walk in free agency given their healthy cap projections for 2019 but one can never say these things are certain.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Sheldon Richardson
The Vikings purchased Richardson as a rental this year, which was smart on their part but also his. If he can produce a top season of production with them, his price will spike when he becomes a free agent again next year. His experience playing 3-4 end could be hugely valuable to the Bears and the chance to pair him with Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman is hard not to think about.
David Irving
He’s spent his career to this point as an up-the-field interior pass rusher and David Irvin is good at it. However, his 6’7″ frame and long arms give him the dimensions ideal for a 3-4 end. His ability to get after the quarterback alone is worth the investment (11 sacks past two years). There are some off-the-field concerns with him though, making it difficult to see Ryan Pace taking a risk.
IN-HOUSE NAMES TO WATCH
Eddie Goldman
This is by far the biggest priority for Pace this year. Goldman has become a mainstay in the middle of the defensive line. He’s one of the best, young nose tackles in the league when healthy. Ensuring he stays put is of the utmost importance if they wish to continue building what is a young and intriguing defense.
Adrian Amos
Was 2017 a turning point for Amos? That’s the sincere hope. After briefly getting benched in favor of Quintin Demps, the former fifth round pick got back into the starting lineup and turned in easily his best overall season as a pro. His productivity and performance level were both high quality. At least enough to earn him another year to see if he can do it again.
Bryce Callahan
The Bears were wise to retain Callahan on his restricted free agent deal. They were also wise to not sign him to an extension. Callahan is a good corner but he’s also an unreliable one. Injuries have pockmarked his career. Every time it looks like he’s ready to break out, he goes down with another issue. This year is about seeing if he can avoid all that.
Aaron Lynch
Signing Lynch was a smart move. He’s a cheap edge option for 2018 with still considerable upside. His contract is basically an audition for the Bears. If he can produce quality results then the team is in a great position to extend him long-term. If not, they allow him to walk without any penalties. It’s a win-win.
Bobby Massie
This feels like the last year Massie will be in a Bears uniform. His run at right tackle hasn’t been terrible but it’s hardly what one would call good either. He’s serviceable but his lack of athleticism offers the likely belief that the Bears won’t move to retain his services. This coming year will reveal a lot on that.
