It’s March 4th, and we are currently experiencing the usual, annual NFL offseason frenzy already. The NFL Scouting Combine is going on as we speak, and the Chicago Bears are well represented down in Indianapolis. Roster cuts are happening, franchise tags are being applied, and rumors are flying as we approach the new league year in mid-March.
Not to mention, spring training is going on in parallel, and we’re also approaching March Madness. It’s a wonderful time of year.
Naturally, amidst so much speculation and anticipation, I thought it was a good time to reach into our Bears Mailbag! Thanks to all those who submitted questions — always appreciate the participation.
Obviously, there’s a lot we still need to know when it comes to free agency. There will be quite a few players receiving the franchise tag before the new league year, and many other players that will be cut from their current rosters due to salary cap constraints.
For example, Vinny Curry, a very solid pass rushing OLB, will reportedly be released by the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. That’s a big addition to the free agent market. Similarly, I expect a few other big names to be made available as we approach that date.
As things stand right now, here’s what I’d really like to see (according to your parameters):
Re-signings: CB Kyle Fuller and WR Cam Meredith.
New Free Agents: DE Muhammad Wilkerson (to a prove-it deal), OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB Vinny Curry, and WR Allen Robinson (to a prove-it deal).
Trade: I’ll take a draft-day trade. If Quenton Nelson is no longer available when the Bears pick, I’d like to see them trade down to 11 with the Dolphins and pick up a third rounder at least. I’d even take a trade down with the Buffalo Bills for both their first rounders and maybe an extra mid-to-low round pick. Both teams are likely to be after a quarterback which makes these trades a possibility. If the top QBs are gone, there’s no chance either one of these happen.
You’re right, I don’t see the Bears drafting a WR at eighth overall, either. The draft is low on top-end WR talent, but there is plenty of depth and Chicago can find a receiver or even two to fit their system and contribute later. Some names I like: DJ Chark, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Simmie Cobbs.
I don’t see the Bears taking Marcus Davenport at eighth overall, either. Frankly, while there are some freak athletes at OLB in this draft, none of them are worth going in the top 10 for various reasons (raw, off the field issues, etc.). I’d have loved Clelin Ferrell at eight, but since he’s returning to school, I don’t want the Bears taking a project that high. But like I said, there are a ton of freak athletes that could help in the later rounds who could succeed with the right coaching (namely, Vic Fangio). A few names include: Davenport, Dorance Armstrong, Duke Ejiofor, and Shaquem Griffin.
Also, I know Tremaine Edmunds is another freak athlete who could make the switch to OLB. But he’ll go very high in the draft mainly because of his athleticism and speed at ILB.
I think that proposed receiving corps would certainly be an upgrade. I want to watch more tape of Matt Nagy’s offense before making a final declaration, but I don’t think the Bears really need a “Number 1” receiver. What they do need are WRs that can catch and have plenty of quickness and speed. That seems to fit the profile of whom they employed in Kansas City.
I will say this: KC’s red zone offense was generally pretty poor, and that’s because they didn’t have too many guys with size to win matchups when the contracted field space equalized their receivers’ speed. So the Bears will certainly need guys with size to step up. The hope is the combination of Meredith, Inman, Kevin White and Adam Shaheen can alleviate those concerns.
By all accounts, Meredith should be ready to go by training camp. But first thing’s first: The Bears need to re-sign him.
If Quenton Nelson is there at eight, I’m sprinting to the podium and not giving it another second’s thought. He’s the best player in this draft, the most polished player in this draft, and IMO a perennial All-Pro waiting to happen. Tremaine Edmunds is a good prospect and an outstanding athlete, but he’s not close to Nelson’s polish. Nor would I know where I want him to play on my defense — keep him at ILB or roll the dice by converting him to OLB? So I’m going with Nelson all the way.
Here’s the thing, though: I don’t want to take Nelson and move him to tackle, even though he could certainly play there. If the Bears end up with Nelson, I want him at LG and Whitehair at C. And with Kyle Long returning healthy (hopefully) at RG next year, the interior of the offensive line just became a wall.
