NFL Draft 2019: Evaluating the Chicago Bears' Positions of Need
The Bears are pretty well stocked with talent but still have areas they could shore up
By James Neveau •
After likely sitting out the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears will finally get their first chance at a pick when the third round gets underway on Friday night.
The Bears, who traded their first two draft picks in the swap that landed Khalil Mack in the Windy City, own the 87th overall pick in the selection show. The team is one of the few in the NFL that doesn’t have a glaring weakness on its roster, but there are still areas that they can shore up as they look to solidify their position as a Super Bowl contender.
With that in mind, here are five positions that the team will likely look to address in the coming days at the NFL Draft in Nashville.
Running Back
This is the spot that everyone is talking about after the trade of Jordan Howard earlier this offseason. The Bears will likely be looking for a back that can provide a change of pace from what Mike Davis and Tarik Cohen offer, and a third-round pick at the position would likely provide an instant upgrade to an offense that Matt Nagy is still working to re-shape in his second season with the organization.
Safety
The Bears already have an All-Pro at safety in the form of Eddie Jackson, but after the departure of Adrian Amos and the signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the Bears could potentially look to bolster their depth at the position. Players like Mike Bell out of Fresno State or Nasir Adderley out of Delaware could be available if the Bears try to strike early in the draft, or they could go with more developmental pieces such as Chase Hansen out of Utah or Khari Willis out of Michigan State instead.
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: A ball and a Chicago Bears helmet are seen on the sidelines during a preseason game between the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field on August 14, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jaguars 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Tackle Bobby Massie signs a four-year contract extension to remain with the Bears.
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The Bears take the first step to replace Cody Parkey, signing Redford Jones to a reserve contract.
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Another long-time Bear is let go, as linebacker Sam Acho was released.
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Bears tight end Ben Braunecker sticks around, signing a two-year contract extension.
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Offensive lineman Ted Larsen returns to the Bears, signing a one-year contract as free agency begins.
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The Bears made a move at running back, singing Mike Davis to a two-year contract.
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The Bears found their replacement for Bryce Callahan, signing Buster Skrine to a three-year contract.
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Cordarrelle Patterson signs a two-year contract with the Bears, aims to be their primary kick returner in 2019.
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After the Green Bay Packers signed Adrian Amos away from the Bears, the Bears signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year contract
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3/14: Safety Adrian Amos leaves the Bears to sign a new contract with the Green Bay Packers.
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Wide receiver Marvin Hall signs a one-year contract.
Wide receiver Joshua Bellamy signs a deal with the New York Jets.
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Cornerback Bryce Callahan signs a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos, rejoining Vic Fangio.
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Wide receiver Kevin White signs a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
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Punter Pat O’Donnell and quarterback Tyler Bray both sign one-year contracts with the Bears.
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The Bears trade running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick.
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The Bears sign defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year deal.
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The Chicago Bears re-signed linebacker Aaron Lynch to a one-year contract. Lynch had three sacks and four tackles for loss in the 2018 season.
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The following players were signed during the offseason to reserve/future contracts: Dejon Allen, Abdullah Anderson, Willie Beavers, John Franklin III, Tanner Gentry, Cyril Grayson, Michael Joseph, Cornelius Lucas, Jonathon Mincy, Ryan Nall, James Vaughters, Jordan Williams-Lambert, Josh Woods
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G.M. Ryan Pace has aggressively been seeking to replace Cody Parkey as the team's kicker, and two players under contract were cut from the competition as Redford Jones and John Baron II were cut, while the team has decided to keep Elliott Fry and Chris Blewitt.
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The Bears signed three of their draft picks, including fourth-round pick Riley Ridley and seventh round picks Kerrith Whyte Jr. and Stephen Denmark. Third round pick David Montgomery remains unsigned, as does cornerback Duke Shelley.
Cornerback
The Bears have a lot of money tied up at their cornerback position with Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, and Buster Skrine, so they could certainly look to get a cheaper option in the draft. Joejuan Williams out of Vanderbilt has gotten some serious buzz because of his size and ability to defend big receivers, and Northwestern product Montre Hartage could also potentially be on the radar for the Bears.
Edge Rusher
The Bears have plenty of talented pass rushers, but it wouldn’t hurt to continue bolstering their depth, especially considering that Leonard Floyd is heading into a contract year with the team. Players like Tim Ward out of Old Dominion and Anree Saint-Amour out of Georgia Tech could be good options late in the draft.
Guard
The Bears have some solid options on their offensive line, but they could go for some additional depth up the middle in this year’s draft. Ross Pierschbacher out of Alabama is a player that comes to mind, and Malcolm Pridgeon out of Ohio State has popped up on some draft boards as well with the Bears owning a pair of seventh round picks.
