Pre-Draft 2018 Free Agent Signings

   Its almost time for the draft to begin so the free agency frenzy is over for the Bears, I really don't believe they will try and get Dez Bryant although they may have the cash to make it happened, his sideline and locker room presence is something I would keep away from a young team like this one. So lets see what we got for this year and who is coming back (underlined are the new acquisitions).

QB

Tyler Bray

Chase Daniels

   I didn't expect it to be both of the guys i saw fit to be signed as backup QBs. So with Trubisky set as QB1 did Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy felt like competition for the backup spot was necessary? Sounds good to me, will another one come from this draft? Wouldn't hurt if a pick is used in someone talented who slides down on the later rounds.

RB

Benny Cunningham

   I like having Cunningham as a 3rd down back, he showed his reliability as a runner and pass catcher. So once he was signed and clearing off the rumors of Jordan Howard trades, it wasn't necessary to look for further depth in FA, the draft is still an option in the later rounds for some fresh legs but still there is not a real need here.

TE

Trey Burton

Daniel Brown

   Someone likes to use his TEs. This was a surprise for me and I had to read some articles to really agree on the signing. I didn't think they needed another TE unless they thought Adam Shaheen wasn't ready or was considered a bust or that Dion Sims was to be released. But now I understand that Nagy now has a good variety of players in the position to execute different formations with Shaheen being the big target TE, Sims the blocking TE and now Burton, the agile TE to be a mismatch against slow LBs. This makes me think that they will be using multiple TE formations and will give Howard and Cohen one or two more body's on the field to potentially block for them. I don't believe that they will use any pick on another TE this year with what they got now on the roster.

WR

Allen Robinson

Taylor Gabriel

Bennie Fowler

Joshua Bellamy

   So Allen was the choice to be the WR1 for this year. Now with Cameron Meredith going to the Saints, it will be Kevin White who will have to be on the other end. Both are physically scary but it will all depend on their health so they can be on the field and work with Mitchell Trubisky to get on the same page. Gabriel I assume will rotate with the TEs to bring speed on the field when needed. The lates addition of Fowler gives experienced depth to the position to battle a spot against anyone how gets drafted or the young guys already on the team. I hope to see Bellamy on the field only on SP, it would mean really bad news if he gets in as a WR meaning someone got hurt or someone really sucked. This years crop of WR is weak early on, but gets better value come day 2 and forth, getting some depth in the middle rounds would be a good idea.

OL

Bradley Sowell

Earl Watford

   So Ja´Wuan James wasn't available in FA (my bad) and Cameron Fleming got pick up by Dallas were the rich get richer on OL. I though Tom Compton played better than Sowell but still both of them are backups at best and the only singing on FA was Watford who right now is just another dude. So there is still the chance of improvement on the T position and LG is open for takes to see who wants it more or go for someone on draft day preferably on day two although it may be wishful thinking of my part to believe a plug and play player will fall that far, but it has happened before.

DL

John Jenkins

Jenkins will continue to be  Eddie Goldman´s backup. Not re-singing Mitch Unrein and not bringing someone else from FA does show that the team trusts Roy Robertson-Harris and Christian Bullard to take the load rotating the other DE position. That statement can be sealed if they don't pick a DL player early in the draft. There are some intriguing options so I'm really interested to know if they have someone in sight.

LB

Aaron Lynch

Sam Acho

John Timu

   Lynch, Acho and Timu are proven backups but that still leaves a hole on one OLB position and leaves the MLB position vulnerable if Danny Trevathan or Nick Kwitkoski get hurt, and Kwitkoski is still new to the system and hasn't showed if he can be a reliable starter. Pass rush is the biggest need the Bears lack and it has to be prioritized at this years draft.

DB

Kyle Fuller

Prince Amukamara

Sherrick McManis

Marcus Cooper

   Signing Fuller away from the Packers only makes the deal sweeter besides filling a big need at the position. Bringing back Amukamara makes the secondary have stability in Vic Fangios system, that gives added value to both signings. McManis will stay as the big SPs player, Copper will get another chance to try and contribute as a backup and on dime formations. There is good talent in this years draft but with need in other areas it will be interesting to see when or if they pick a DB.

K

Cody Parkey

   I would have preferred they stayed with Mike Nugent to compete with Parkey, just in case he gets injured again before the season starts. There is still a chance they pick someone else before training camp.

P

Pat O´Donnell

   Yeah this is good, good for you Pat.

LS

Patrick Scales

   Scales it is.

Players signed by other teams

Tom Compton - Vikings

Andre DePaola - Raiders

Mike Glennon - Cardinals

Christian Jones - Lions

Pernell McPhee- Redskins

Cairo Santos - Jets

Josh Sitton - Dolphins

Mitch Unrein - Bucs

Kendall Wright - Vikings

Cameron Meredith - Saints

   Meredith will be the most followed player by Bears fans to see if Pace and crew made the right decision on not matching his contract to retain him. I don't think it was a no-brainer to get him back, the injury was reported to be severe making it harder to tell if he would return being the same player and he has only one full season on his resume to evaluate and that season showed he could be a good player but that's it, he is still a player under evaluation almost as much as White and signing him would have made White harder to tell if he was worth the high pick or not, his 5th year option is gone so its now or never to see what he has and what he could be going forward. Another player that will be under the microscope will be Sitton who left the team with a hole that doesn't feel it has been filled yet. Jones could be another player who could be missed depending on Kwotkoskis development as well as both his and Trevathans health. Glennon and McPhee where cap casualties, McPhee at least gave direction and value to the team while he was there, Glennon just didn't have a real chance with the type of player and talent he has. Wright just got replaced for someone who I hope is better of fits better with the scheme in Gabriel. Unrein played good and often to help the defense in his three seasons with the team and every Bears fan should appreciate his play while he was there.

Players not re-signed

Lamarr Houston

Dontrell Inman

Zach Miller

Mike Nugent

Mark Sanchez

   I don't get why Inman is still a FA, he at least would give experience to the depth chart and would come cheap. Houston, Miller and Nugent can be called if needed if still available. Whats up with Sanchez and his four game ban for PED use? I considered re-signing him, so is this another reason to the vast "this is why I'm not a GM" list?

RFA

Bryce Callahan

   This is the only pending thing I'm waiting to happen, is to not see Callahan go to another roster if possible, if he goes somewhere else, the DB need will go up a bit for this draft.

Free Agency 2018

   Its almost the start of the 2018 free agency period and the Browns are kicking doors open and searching every venue to get together a team that can save them from their eternal winning drought. I say it was about time they started panicking in a good way. 

   I listed some free agent prospects that I think the Bears should consider for each position, in bold letters are the names of players I would like on the team and the others to be considered for depth at the position.

QB
Josh McCown
Tyler Bray
Chase Daniel

   If they don't re-sign Mark Sanchez who would bring a familiar face and voice for Mitch Trubisky's continued development, maybe they can bring another voice of experience in Josh McCown if it doesn't bother him to be on the bench. Maybe bring in Bray who worked with now HC Matt Nagy.

RB
Jerick McKinnon
Alfred Morris
Christine Michael
Branden Oliver

   Although this position doesn't really need any more personnel if Bennie Cunningham gets re-signed, the talks of Jordan Howard not fitting in Nagys system is somewhat worrisome. McKinnon would be the closest thing to a RB who can go through tackles, be elusive and be good at catching the ball somewhat like Kareem Hunt is for the Chiefs. Morris or Michael could be backups to Howard while Oliver resembles Tarik Cohen.

   

WR
Allen Robinson
Sammy Watkins
Paul Richardson
Albert Wilson
Terrelle Pryor
Ryan Grant
Taylor Gabriel
John Brown
Jaron Brown

   Robinson and Watkins can be considered the top available but bring some already present predicaments. Robinson is coming of a knee tear just like Cam Meredith and Watkins has his injured foot issues, add in Kevin Whites already long injury history and one starts to wonder if Ryan Pace wants to risk having more of the same, but I understand that calculated risks have to be taken, if Watkins is more intriguing and looks to be the faster player, Robinson is what we should have in White if he were more on the field. Richarson is something in between because he has had his knee teared but has managed to return and show he can still play at a high level, he could make Marcus Wheaton earn his salary or simply replace him. Pryor is an interesting player that may have struggled because of Washington's system, he still can be the player he was with the Browns but I would only consider taking him if Dontrell Inman isn't re-signed. Wilson is already being considered by many to end up with the Bears because of Nagy, looks like and above average WR2 at best but can push others to play better and would have the advantage of being familiar with the system. Grant, Gabriel and both Brown's can be considered for the slot if Kendall Wright doesn't return.

TE
NONE

   Moving on.


G/C
Andrew Norwell
Zach Fulton
Evan Smith

   I'm only considering Norwell here because Josh Sitton got cut and there is a hole at guard that could be filled d by Eric Kush but then there is no backup if (knock on wood) Kyle Long gets hurt, there is a need for a quality G and it should be prioritized. Keeping track on Nagy's ex-players that he can get back, Fulton looks at least like a good backup that can compete. Smith is an injury prone veteran that could consider being a backup at C and debunk Hroniss Grasu who looks like he just doesn't have it.

OT
Cameron Fleming
Ja'Wuan James

   Both Fleming and James are good players that can anchor the RT spot, I prefer Fleming just because he didn't get injured last season although I do believe James is the better player.

DE/NT
Sheldon Richardson
Bennie Logan

   John Jenkins should be re-signed for NT depth and rotation but they could try and do better by signing Bennie Logan. Mitch Unrein is a very serviceable DE but with Sheldon Richardson in the market the Bears should consider going for him.

OLB/EDGE
Kareem Martin
Jerry Attaochu

   The lack of outside pass rushers in this years free agency pool worries me, Martin and Attaochu could be serviceable OLB's like Sam Acho but none of them seem to have what it takes to get consistently to the QB. I was not a fan on the decision of letting Willie Young go although he already made it known that OLB wasn't his ideal position.

ILB
Zach Brown
Derrick Johnson

   Christian Jones played well enough to be considered to return. Brown can come in and compete for the job or the Bears can go big and get Jonhson then draft a rookie so he can learn from him.

CB
Trumaine Johnson
Ross Cockrell
Aaron Colvin
Dontae Johnson

   With Kyle Fuller almost guaranteed to return, they need to think very carefully if they want to re-sign Prince Amukamara back or go all in on Johnson who I really like how he plays. Cockrell can push or shove aside Marcus Cooper if he keeps playing poorly. Colvin and Johnson I consider to be value backups for the nickel and dime. Sherick McMannis is a very good ST player and should be re-signed.

S
NONE

   Don't think we need any from this pool.


K
Caleb Sturgis
Cody Parkey

   At least one has to stay between Mike Nugent and Cairo Santos, there should be two on the roster to compete against each other. Sturigs returning from injury and Parkey accurate from within 50 but not beyond, I believe are the better candidates.

P
Dustin Colquitt

   Pat O'donnell should be re-singed but if not there is another Chief that could take his place in  Colquitt.

   Pace can soften the need on WR and CB with this pool and maybe some more on other positions, but its clear to me that a pass rushing OLB has to come from the draft and to pick one early should be the main focal point .

2018 Draft Prospects Pre-Combine

   Last year I only picked some draft prospects that intrigued me for the Bears to pick but once I started to search for game play on this years crop of players I couldn't stop and ended watching at least one and if possible three videos of each player that will attend the combine this year that had some game play on youtube, some only had videos from the 2016 season but tried to watch the more resent and competitive games available. Listed the positions that I think the Bears should need to address via free agency at first and then the draft. I made a top 10 list in order of talent and on what round i would assume they would go, the rest of them are arranged just by the round. There are some that are assigned a NA round meaning I didn't find game play of them but are still players that got invited to the combine and will be watching to get an idea of their talent. Then there is the FA status on players that entered this years draft that I believe will not get drafted.

Rk WR Rd Rd 1 Calvin Ridley 1 Steve Ishmael 4 2 Courtland Sutton 1 J'Mon Moore 4 3 Simmie Cobbs Jr 2 Chris Lacy 4 4 Marcel Ateman 2 Cam Phillips 4 5 Equanimeous St. Brown 3 Darren Carrington 5 6 Auden Tate 3 Allen Lazard 5 7 James Washington 3 Byron Pringle 5 8 Jaleel Scott 4 DJ Chark 5 9 Cedric Wilson 4 Dante Pettis 5 10 Jordan Lasley 4 Deon Cain 6 Antonio Callaway 6 Rk WRS Korey Robertson 6 1  Christian Kirk 2 Javon Wims 7 2 Anthony Miller 2 Trey Quinn 7 3 Deontay Burnett 3 Davon Grayson 7 4 Michael Gallup 4 Ray-Ray McCloud 7 5 DaeShon Hamilton 4 Dylan Cantrell FA 6 Keke Coutee 5 Robert Foster FA 7 D.J. Moore 6 TJ Martin FA 8 Steven Mitchell 6 Marquez Valdes-Scantling FA 9 Quadree Henderson 7 Ka'Raun White FA 10 Braxton Berrios 7 Jake Wieneke FA Tre'Quan Smith FA Jester Weah FA Richie James FA Brandon Powell FA

   I separated the WR class and made a top 10 for the players I think are more dangerous in the slot. Calvin Ridley looks like a Rd1 but its really hard to see on tape although he is arguably the better all around player that looks to have the speed, quickness, leaping ability and hands to be a WR1 in the NFL. Cedric Wilson and Jordan Lasley are the next players that look like all around WRs. James Washington is the one that really doesn't fit in the list but you can't ignore his hands and speed, reminds me of Torrey Smith. Then the rest on the top 10 are tall receivers that dominate often on the jump ball. The top 5 slot receivers are very intriguing because they have the size to take a hit and still be able to be very quick and elusive but what seems to separate Christian Kirk from the others is he appeared to be a leader for his team and that counts in the NFL.

Rk OT Rd Rd 1 Mike McGlinchey 1 Tyrell Crosby 4 2 Brian O'Neil 2 Martinas Rankin 4 3 Connor Williams 2 Toby Weathersby 4 4 Isaiah Wynn 2 Joel Noteboom 4 5 Jamarco Jones 3 Chukwuma Okorafor 5 6 Orlando Brown 3 Ike Boettger 5 7 K.C. McDermott 3 David Bright 5 8 Geron Christian 3 Nick Gates 6 9 Kolton Miller 4 Brett Toth 6 10 Desmond Harrison 4 Bentley Spain 6 Brandon Parker 7 Greg Senat 7 Timon Parris 7 Cole Madison 7 Will Richardson FA Austin Corbett FA Alex Cappa FA Casey Tucker FA

 
   I like Mike McGlinchey to be the next RT for the Bears to then possibly move him to LT with time, hope he gets evaluated really hard to see if he is worth it with the 8th pick. From what I have seen on other websites is that I grade Connor Williams and Orlando Brown a tad lower that "normal". I am not a fan of  Williams and Brown's size, Williams lacks strength but looks like he can play the LT position but I haven't heard the same for Brown and its no wonder with how big he is that it doesn't seem he can keep up with speedy edge rushers, he looks like Cam Robinson but less athletic and Robinson wasn't considered athletic. Really like Isaiah Wynn's versatility and demeanor, could be true that he is better suited to be a guard in the NFL but I can see him being a reliable LT. Desmond Harrison looks to have good size and technique together with a tough attitude, he seems to dominate his opponent every time in the games I found playing with the UWG Wolves, he could be very good but really cant tell when playing against defenses from Division II and he has red flags to explain about for his disciplinary issues he had when playing with the Texas Longhorns.

Rk G/C Rd Rd 1 Quenton Nelson 1 Mason Cole 5 2 Isaiah Wynn 2 Austin Golson 5 3 Billy Price 2 Scott Quessenberry 5 4 Braden Smith 2 Sean Welsh 5 5 James Daniels 3 Brian Allen 6 6 Tony Adams 3 Sam Mustipher 7 7 Bradley Bozeman 3 Coleman Shelton 7 8 Will Hernandez 4 Mark Korte FA 9 Frank Ragnow 4 Nick Linder FA 10 Will Clapp 4

   Decided to view game play of some guards and centers that are being named to be very good but focused more on players that have the versatility to play both interior positions. Isaiah Wynn is the only player I repeated in more than one list just because I believe he is that good to be able to play multiple positions very well. There is talk that Quenton Nelson could be considered to be the best player on this draft, but I really don't see him being that dominant, but he is very good. Billy Price is considered in some mock draft to be a Rd1 player but I only see that if someone really needs a C and doesn't what to wait until the second round. Same thing with Will Hernandez being considered a RD2 player, he comes from a small school and didn't impress much in the Senior bowl, he has good size and strength but seems to lack technique, so he looks to be a very raw player.

Rk DE/NT Rd Rd 1 Vita Vea 1 Breeland Speaks 3 2 Da'Ron Payne 1 Jerry Tillery 4 3 Taven Bryan 1 Da'Shawn Hand 4 4 R.J. McIntosh 2 Kendrick Norton 4 5 Andrew Brown 2 John Atkins 4 6 Tim Settle 2 B.J. Hill 5 7 Harrison Phillips 3 Eddy Wilson 5 8 Drew Bailey 3 Rasheem Green 5 9 Kahlil McKenzie Jr 3 Folorunso Fatukasi 6 10 Duke Ejiofor 3 Lowell Lotulelei 6 Du'Vonta Lampkin 6 Taylor Stallworth 7 Joshua Frazier 7 Matt Elam FA Deadrin Senat FA John Franklin-Myers FA Bilal Nichols FA Jojo Wicker FA

 
   This list is made by thinking which players are best suited to play on a 3-4 formation. Vita Vea is an intriguing player, looks like the next Haloti Ngata and that makes me think he may be worthy of taking him with the 8th pick, that will depends on how much the Bears trusts the players already on the roster in Johnathan Bullard and Roy Robertson-Harris, which they have been improving. Love Duke Ejiofor's hand usage to shed blocks, but his size to play the 5T is what worries me. Breeland Speaks is all over the place, he is a big guy with average speed that was used often to rush QBs as a OLB and although he is strong he didn't show it consistently because of technique, I really don't know if he is better off playing 4-3 DT.

Rk	CB	Rd				Rd				Rd
1	Denzel Ward	1			D.J. Reed	2			Kamrin Moore	7
2	Joshua Jackson	1			Anthony Averett	3			M.J. Stewart	7
3	Jaire Alexander	1			Levi Wallace	3			Darius Phillips	7
4	Mike Hughes	1			Nick Nelson	3			Greg Stroman	7
5	Duke Dawson	1			Kevin Toliver II	3			Brandon Facyson	7
6	Isaiah Oliver	2			Isaac Yiadom	4			Henre' Toliver	7
7	Carlton Davis	2			Kameron Kelly	4			Jamarcus King	FA
8	Donte Jackson	2			Taron Johnson	4			Dane Cruikshank	FA
9	Tarvarus McFadden	2			Michael Joseph	5			Rashaan Gaulden	FA
10	Holton Hill	2			Christian Campbell	5			Andre Chachere	FA
					Tony Brown	5			Grant Haley	FA
					Danny Johnson	5			Sean Chandler	FA
					Jordan Thomas	5			Dee Delaney	FA
					J.C. Jackson	6			Chris Jones	FA
					Davontae Harris	6			Chandon Sullivan	NA
					Quenton Meeks	6			D'Montre Wade	NA
					Rashard Fant	6			Avonte Maddox	NA
					Parry Nickerson	6			Tracy Walker	NA

 
   I didn't divide this position separating the nickel corners in another list because I find it hard to determine which player is not capable of playing the outside. This position is deep this year with lots of talent that deserve first and second day considerations. I list Denzel Ward as the best CB this year because I value more his technique to stick to a player than the one productive year Joshua Jackson had this past season, Jackson has the better height but even so Ward plays as well or better than Jackson. Duke Dawson is really high in my list because I believe he can play the outside even with his short height and has good recognition and cover skills. I like CB that can tackle and I think all top 10 players can do a good job at it.

Rk OLB/EDGE Rd Hercules Mata'afa 4 1 Bradley Chubb 1 Dorance Armstrong Jr 5 2 Arden Key 1 Ogbonnia Okoronkwo 5 3 Sam Hubbard 1 Jeff Holland 5 4 Harold Landry 2 Leon Jacobs 5 5 Marcus Davenport 2 Tyquan Lewis 5 6 Chad Thomas 3 Jayln Holmes 6 7 Kemoko Turay 3 Josh Sweat 6 8 Uchenna Nwosu 3 Mike McCray 6 9 Lorenzo Carter 4 Marquis Haynes 6 10 James Hearns 4 Davin Bellamy 7 Marcell Frazier 7 Olasunkanmi Adeniyi 7 Fred Warner FA Chris Covington NA Joel Iyiegbuniwe NA Darius Jackson NA Jacob Pugh NA

 
   Again, I list these players as the better 3-4 defensive players. Bradley Chubb should be considered the best player in this years draft, he is a relentless pass rusher and good at run defense, don't know if he has problems in coverage but I believe that his pressure to opposing QB should make up for it. Marcus Davenport is considered a Rd1 pick but I think that is to risky, many have said he is raw playing against average competition from Conference USA, I initially had him as a Rd4 player but did see he showed good skills in the Senior Bowl but not enough to sky rocket him to the first round. Kemoko Turay will be someone I will be paying attention to.

Rk ILB Rd Rd 1 Roquan Smith 1 Micah Kiser 4 2 Tremaine Edmunds 1 Dorian O'Daniel 4 3 Leighton Vander Esch 2 Tegray Scales 5 4 Darius Leonard 2 Skai Moore 5 5 Jack Cichy 2 Chris Worley 5 6 Rashaan Evans 3 Jerome Baker 6 7 Malik Jefferson 3 Josey Jewell 6 8 Jason Cabinda 3 Kendall Joseph 6 9 Matthew Thomas 3 Azeem Victor 6 10 Christian Sam 4 Keishawn Bierria 6 Shaun Dion Hamilton 7 Garret Dooley 7 Genard Avery 7 Kenny Young 7 Nick DeLuca FA Oren Burks NA Andre Smith NA

 
   I really had problems evaluating this position, I was close to not giving anyone a Rd1 grade, guess I was to hard on these players and expected more from an NFL prospect. Roquan Smith is a more complete LB but Tremaine Edmunds is more physical with a bigger body, his problem is a lack of awareness to see where the play is going, he compensates it with speed. Jack Cichy missed the 2017 season because of a ACL tear but he looks the part of a complete ILB, I hope he can get back on track. Jason Cabinda is considered as an OLB but I've saw plays where he played at the inside and I believe he can handle it much better as a run stopper than an outside rusher. Rashaan Evans and Malik Jefferson are seen as day one players by some but I didn't see Evans shedding blocks as often as I would like and Jefferson is big and strong but a bit slow to get from side to side and in coverage.

   I wanted to get these lists out before the combine to see how good I do in "evaluating" these future NFL players, I will teak the list once the combine is over and maybe again when pro days are done. The rest of the positions I will add before the draft, really don't care much about them because I believe the Bears are pretty set on those.