Chicago Bears Free Agent Options: D-Line
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With the start of free agency right around the corner (March 10th), I’m going to be breaking down a few options for the Chicago Bears at every position. I’m starting with the D-line, which I believe is the on of the key areas for the Bears to focus on this off-season. They spent some money on the D-line in free agency last year, but the results were mixed and some of those players may be obsolete in the defensive scheme of Bears new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
The Bears do have an important decision to make on one of their own D-lineman in DT Stephen Paea who is coming off the best year of his young career. He has the versatility to play the nose or 3-tech position in Fangio’s scheme and should be a priority for the Bears. As part of this series I will be listing the Bears internal free agents at each position with links to posts I did earlier this off-season on whether the Bears should keep that specific player.
These aren’t necessarily rankings of the top free agents at each position, but players I think the Bears should target based on scheme fit, salary, and future potential. I’ve broken each position down to four parts: the big ticket signing, starters, young players with starter potential and depth players. At the end of the post, I’ve made my recommendations on which players I think the Bears should target.
Defensive Line – Bears Free Agents
Defensive Line – Current Situation
It’s pretty clear that the Bears are at least switching from the boring, obsolete Cover 2 scheme they have been running the last ten years. The addition of a 2nd LB coach points to at least some 3-4 alignments this year. My guess is that they install a version of the hybrid 4-3 under scheme that new DC Vic Fangio ran in San Francisco with much success.
Most of the current Bears D-lineman are better suited to a basic 4-3 scheme, so there will be more turnover at this position than any except maybe linebacker. The Bears don’t have a traditional 5-tech DE on the roster except possibly Lamarr Houston who is recovering from an ACL tear. Jay Ratliff had the best years of his career in a very similar scheme under Wade Phillips in Dallas, so he should be effective in the middle with 2nd year player Ego Ferguson and perhaps free agent Stephen Paea as backups. Paea would also be a fit at the LE (3-tech) position in Fangio’s scheme as would Will Sutton. Even if the Bears bring Paea back, they will need some depth and ideally a starter at the 5-tech position in case Houston isn’t healthy by opening day.
Defensive Line – Free Agent Options
Big Ticket:
DT Ndamukong Suh – 28 years old, Lions (6’4 | 307): There is no other free agent move that could impact the defense as much as signing Suh would. It will cost a small fortune, but Suh is worth it. He’s one of the only defensive lineman in the league who makes a significant impact on both the run and the pass. Suh could theoretically play all three defensive line spots in Fangio’s hybrid 3-4 and would give the Bears a player to build around. In one move the Bears defensive line would go from a question mark to a strength.
Starters:
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DT / DE Jared Odrick – 27, Dolphins (6’5 | 307) – He’s a poor man’s Justin Smith. Odrick is strong against both the run and pass, which as I mentioned about Suh is pretty rare. Odrick has a quick first step to generate pressure on the QB and the strength and good hand play to establish separation from O-lineman and control his gaps vs the run. Odrick has great play recognition instincts which make up for a lack of elite physical tools and a non-stop motor which keeps him involved in most plays.
Early in his career Odrick could be run at, but he has gotten stronger and eliminated most weaknesses from his game. Signing Suh is a long-shot for the Bears, but Odrick is a realistic option who would be a great fit for the Bears new scheme. He’s versatile enough to play the 5-tech or 3-tech and would allow the Bears to not rush Lamarr Houston back from his ACL tear. Odrick made just under $3M last year and most likely would be looking for around double that. That’s a palatable price to pay for a guy who could play anywhere on D-line in Fangio’s scheme at positions the Bears are currently very thin.
DT Nick Fairley – 26, Lions (6’4 | 291): Has the talent to be one of the best DTs in the NFL but work ethic was an issue in college and so far in his NFL career. His weight is another issue, Fairley came into the league around 290 but was a big as 350 in 2013. He came into last season at 295 so it’s clearly possible for him to keep around the 300 level which is where the Bears would want him to play as their under tackle or 5-tech.
When at a manageable weight and motivated Fairley has the skills to be dominant against both the run and pass. It is a common theme among the top players on this list because it is essential for Fangio’s scheme. He likes to disguise his alignments pre-snap and in order to due that he needs players that can handle multiple roles. If Fairley is in the 295-305 range he could be a force at all three D-line positions.
At his best Fairley is an unblockable force with the quickness off the snap to generate pressure on the QB and disrupt running lanes. Even at only around 300 pounds Fairley has the strength and long arms to occupy double teams and still disengage to stop running backs trying to navigate his gaps. He can handle any role asked of him and has shown the ability to flat out dominate the man or men trying to block him.
Fairley has fueded with Lions coaching staff on and off since his rookie year due to inconsistent weight and effort level, which makes him an extremely risky free agent signing. His upside will make him expensive, but his motivation issues will keep him cheaper than a player of his talent should be. An offer of around $5M per year is the most I would be comfortable with, but a few extra million in incentives might be the best way to get Fairley playing at the level he’s capable of.
DT Henry Melton – 28, Bears (6’3 | 260): As a Bears fan I was crushed losing Melton to the Cowboys last year and even more so by the fact that he took less guaranteed money than the Bears were offering. In hindsight I don’t blame him for choosing Rod Marinelli over Mel Tucker, but Tucker is gone now and Melton may be a free agent again this year. It has little to do with his play for the Cowboys, which was excellent (6 sacks, 11.5 grade). If Melton is on the Cowboys roster on March 10th, his contract is extended for 3 years at around $8M per season.
That may be too much for the cap challenged Cowboys to pay, especially if they want to bring back fellow free agents DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant. Melton was unhappy with the old Bears regime, but with a new staff in place, Melton may be willing to come back to Chicago and would be an ideal fit for the under tackle (3-tech) position in Fangio’s scheme. Melton won’t be cheap, but if he can get back to his 2012 Pro Bowl form in his second year removed from ACL surgery he’ll be more than worth it.
DE Cedric Thornton – 27, Eagles (6’3 | 309) – RFA: A non-factor in the passing game, but an absolute stud against the run. Thornton would be an ideal fit in the 5-tech (Justin Smith) role in Fangio’s scheme. It is the weakest position on the Bears current depth chart and also a weak position in the draft which could force the Bears hand in free agency. Thornton has a quick first step, long arms to keep separation from blockers, and the power to drive blockers into the backfield on passing plays. He would give the Bears at least one solid run stuffer at the 5-tech position and give Lamarr Houston some time to recover before being forced into a full-time role. In the last two seasons Thornton has finished as the 3rd and 8th best run stopper among all 3-4 DEs according to PFF.
Thornton is a restricted free agent so there is a chance the Eagles will match any offer since he is a huge factor in their run defense, but they have cap issues with top WR Jeremy Maclin a free agent and more salary tied up in returning players than any other team. The Bears may be able to make an offer for Thornton that the Eagles can’t afford to match.