Four Vet FAs The Bears Might Think Of Pursuing............
May 2, 2018 15:57:16 GMT -6
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2018 15:57:16 GMT -6
Top free agents the Bears can still go after following the draft
The Chicago Bears can still find value in the free-agent market.
Matt Eurich - 15 hours ago
247sports.com/nfl/chicago-bears/Bolt/Top-free-agents-the-Bears-can-still-go-after-following-the-draft-117882110?
The Chicago Bears added a handful of new players to the roster during the 2018 NFL Draft. The team's first three selections, linebacker Roquan Smith, interior offensive lineman James Daniels and wide receiver Anthony Miller, are all expected to be major contributors as rookies. As for the rest of the class, linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe, defensive lineman Bilal Nichols, pass-rusher Kylie Fitts and wide receiver Javon Wims, will need some seasoning before they can be counted on to be long-term options.
The Bears were active early in the free-agent market, going after the likes of Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Trey Burton right off the bat. Now that the dust has settled from the NFL Draft, now could be the time for Chicago to find some steals in the free agent market. Below we take a look at options still available to the Bears.
Junior Galette, Outside Linebacker
The outside linebacker position remains a major need for the Bears this offseason after moving on from Willie Young and Pernell McPhee and not bringing in much in terms of replacements. The hope is Fitts can develop quickly and offer the team some depth at the position behind Leonard Floyd and Aaron Lynch. If he cannot, Galette will be an interesting name worth watching.
After a solid 2014 season in which he put up his second-straight 10-plus sack season, he struggled through two years worth of injuries. He was also suspended in 2015 for violating the league's personal conduct policy stemming from a domestic violence incident. He finally returned to the field in 2017 for the Washington Redskins and recorded 20 tackles, three sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble as a situational pass-rusher. He has 34.5 sacks in his career.
Connor Barwin, Outside Linebacker
Just like Galette, Barwin would offer some experience at the position. A second-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2009, Barwin has played both outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. He capped off his 2017 season with 34 tackles and five sacks for the Los Angeles Rams. In his career he has racked up 354 tackles, 55.5 sacks, 40 pass deflections, one interception and six forced fumbles. He also went to the Pro Bowl in 2014.
Eric Reid, Hybrid Safety
Reid does not fill a major need for the Bears, but he may be the best value available on the open market. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was in San Francisco in 2013 when the 49ers took Reid in the first round of the draft out of LSU. In that first season in Fangio's system, Reid started all 16 games, recording 77 tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions. His strong season was enough to earn him a spot in the 2013 Pro Bowl. He has shown an ability to play both safety positions and can also play up against the line of scrimmage as an additional linebacker. At the right price, Reid would be a nice addition to Chicago's rising defense.
Johnathan Hankins, Defensive Line
Hankins began his NFL career as a second-round pick of the New York Giants in 2013 out of Ohio State. As a rookie he appeared in 11 games and recorded just 16 tackles. The following year he started all 16 games for the Giants and ended the year with 51 tackles, seven sacks and three pass deflections. In 2015 he saw action in just nine games before tearing his pectoral. In 2016 he started all 16 games and finished the year with 43 tackles and three sacks. Last year in Indianapolis as a 3-4 defensive end he saw action in 15 games, recording 44 tackles and two sacks.
Author/Matt Eurich @matteurich
