QB: Low priority
Ryan Poles can try and upgrade Trevor Siemien as the backup QB and the only guy I would consider with a history of playing significant games would be Macus Mariota, only concern is the contract and if he wants to be a backup, if not then I'm sticking to take Shane Buchele but he wouldn't be considered an upgrade but more of a young talent that could possibly get better. The draft does bring some athletic project QBs that Poles could consider on day three like Hendon Hooker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson, still I wouldn't blame Poles to wait to pick someone as an UDFA.
RB: Low priority
It saddens me the decision on not retaining David Montgomery even if I understand that thismis the league the NFL is now where the RB is not prioritized and somewhat easily replaced and where the lead back is replaced by a committee of 2 to 3 RB in rotation or by scenario, even so I considered Montgomery to still have value for the Bears. I wouldn't go crazy on FA to replace Monty, Poles can get someone to compete or have as a fallback if injury happens or If Trestan Ebner doesn't get better, to who would I pick I have no favorite. What I do expect is for one at leat be picked on draft day 3 with pick 64 hoping someone like Tyjae Spears, Zach Carbonnet or Roschon Johnson.
WR: Low priority
King Poles freaking flipped the table to another dimension for the WR room when he stole D.J. Moore from the Panthers with the #1 pick trade package, it really does make me think that Poles is ahead of the curve and foresaw the lack of high caliber WR talent for this off-season at FA and at the draft. This move just might make Darnell Mooney play the slot duties when needed, be able to have him there, Chase Claypool at X and Moore at Y and be able to flip spots at times to miss match defenses, now this is a squad. This makes Poles not need to shed big bucks on average wide outs to try and be the man, now he can get some guys for depth, so I don't really care who they pick now. At the draft I'm still trying to tell myself that Jaxon Smith-Njigba shouldn't be the pick at #9 but would be very fun but no this is not the way (maybe Marvin Harrison next year), I would assume at least one gets picked day 3 who falls enough like Rashee Rice, Trey Palmer or Jake Bobo.
TE: Mid priority
Only thing that I consider this group a mid tier is because you can't really call this a group if it's only one guy in it. Cole Kmet has grown in talent each year he plays and is now a reliable blocker and receiver that still has room to grow hoping he can continue his assent with Justin Fields. There's two guys at the PS but that can change quickly for better or worse, so help is needed in this group and just might be the first area where Poles spends too much for an average player, I'm still hoping he doesn't and just spends for backup vet help like last year but can't blame him if he goes for someone like Dalton Schultz or Mike Gesicki to help the passing game. I would prefer to wait for the draft where there is supposedly a big pool of talented TEs, I have seen a small sample and I would have to agree, the bad news is from here on out the next groups need ALL of the helps that would make this one take the back seat.
OT: High priority
OK so FA got interesting with Orlando Brown hitting the scene, do they get this guy and kick Braxton Jones inside or to RT or all the way to the bench? Protecting Fields is priority #1 and any move done with this in mind I will understand, with that said it would be hard to see Jones's progression get interrupted like this. RT is without a question a need with Larry Borom failing to keep it under control, Kellen Diesch could be in the mix of solutions but its still a gamble. Poles will have to spend big for someone that is not elite but has been able to hold his ground playing the position like Mike McGlinchey, Kaleb McGary and Jawan Taylor. Someone can be found in the draft, it's a matter of if they want to use a pick for this need, the idea of drafting Paris Jonson Jr. With the #9 pick to move him to RT and have him as insurance if Jones can't hold the blind side is a fine sounding plan, there are others that could be in the second round like Darnell Wright, Ryan Hayes or Tyler Steen that I have been able to watch and believe can help day one.
OG: Mid priority
The state of Cody Whitehair makes this a mid rank need, can he still play at a high level or are his injuries a liability? not to mention his contract that can help the Bears get more cap by releasing him if needed, speaking of injuries, is Teven Jenkins 100%? This group is in need of insurance help and FA has some of it that could work but the draft does seem to be deep in OG help so this could be a good opportunitie to take a good seasoned vet in FA and young depth in the draft, either way I would believe that Whithairs days as a Bear are numbered.
C: High priority
Do the Bears really want to go to 2023 with Lucas Patrick at C as their first and only choice? Well that was last years plan but couldn't get started due to Patrick being lost for the season, so what to do? Veteran Connor McGovern from the Jets can be a solution with his versatility at G and C which could fill one of both needs. If they want to find the answer in the draft they will have to move fast, the available prospects are good and they have the tools to help their team immediatley but the pool isnt big, i don't think one will make it past the 4th round.
DT: High priority
Justin Jones did the best he could but needed help, right now he isn't viewed by the outsiders as the solution but he is no doubt a piece to it. There are very interesting guys in FA that I would like Poles to try getting and take this unit from worst to best, Zach Allen and Dre'Mont Jones I believe will make it happen, both are versatile that can play DE while Allen plays the run better than Jones but the later is a better passrusher, if I needed to choose I would pick Allen. At NT I would like either Dalvin Tomlinson or Fletcher Cox to hold the spot for some new blood. In the draft I'm hoping one slips between Calijah Kansey and Kobi Turner as 3T guys while for NT I will have my eye on Mazi Smith.
DE: Mid priority
Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson still get a shot in my book to try and do damage in 2023 but the Bears still need more ammo and some insurance, I wouldn't go crazy in FA and just pick up some vets that can fit the system, some mention Arden Key fits the bill and all for it, others like Samson Ebukan and Marcus Davenport are names I have heard, one or two should be enough depending on how many they intend to target at the draft which is decently loaded and one can never have enough pass rushers, I was impressed and would be extatic if the Bears can get Adetomiwa Adebawore but there are many others they could get to create competition.
LB: High priority
I have nothing against Jack Sanborn but there isn't anyone else on the roster with NFL experience and the draft I don't feel has enough talent to try and fill the holes so it's gonna be interesting who they target but I'm gonna believe they could come out with three players in this FA pool.
DB: Low priority
As edge rushers, one can never have enough corners, but the Bears already have some established and some to test, at FA like in the draft I would only think they get raw skilled guys they can try to mold.
In conclusion, what I want to see Poles attack this FA week fiercely is the tackle, defensive tackle and linebacker positions. Edge, tight end and interior Oline expect to be their focus at the draft.
