The Chicago Bears seem ready to be aggressive this off-season. GM Ryan Poles spent the past three years building this roster to a point where it feels close to competitive. One more good push might get them over the hump. That could involve a strong statement in free agency next month. Poles has generally tried to avoid spending too much on veteran players, believing that isn’t the way to build a sustained winner. However, he has enough draft picks to keep the team supplemented with young talent.
His quarterback still has three years left on his rookie contract. If there was ever a time to take some big swings, this is the year. ESPN seems to think that will be the case. Matt Bowen revealed his top 50 free agents going into the new league year. In his estimation, the Bears are the likeliest landing spot for two of them.
As you can probably guess, both are on the offensive line.
2. Trey Smith, G
Best team fit: Chicago Bears
The top interior lineman on the market, Smith would upgrade a critical position of need in Chicago. Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranked sixth among guards. Plus, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6 and 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes.
26. Drew Dalman, C
Best team fit: Chicago Bears
I matched Trey Smith to the Bears, but this team can’t stop there this spring. Let’s also put Dalman — the top center in free agency — next to Smith. Dalman wins his assignments with movement and leverage to offset a smaller frame (6-3, 300 pounds). He’s a technician on the tape, best suited for the zone run game, and his pass block win rate of 95.1% ranked ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps (he missed time due to an ankle injury, though).
This approach would help the Chicago Bears in multiple ways.
The most obvious is the offensive line itself. Ben Johnson would immediately have a sturdier interior with two quality run blockers who are more than adequate in pass protection. Beyond that is what it potentially does for the Chicago Bears’ plans for the NFL draft. Right now, everybody envisions the team drafting an offensive lineman 10th overall in the 1st round. It isn’t even a discussion. However, adding Smith and Dalman would ease the pressure to do that. Poles would be able to consider other positions of need like edge rusher or defensive tackle. Maybe they even consider Heisman finalist running back Ashton Jeanty. In truth, the odds of the Bears landing both are remote. Lots of teams with cash to spend need offensive line help. Landing one of them would be a win. Getting both would be a landslide.
