Chicago Bears: Remaining Free Agents (D-Line)

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The first week of the 2015 NFL season is over and it has been pretty crazy with record setting free agency deals, more Pro Bowl players traded than I’ve ever seen before in an offseason, and most of the top free agents already off the board.

The Bears have made a few moves, though way less than most teams with $30 million plus in cap room like the Bears. New Bears GM Ryan Pace is taking a cautous, measured approach to free agency so far. In the short-term the Bears are missing out on the best players in free agency, but over the next few months when veteran players with high cap numbers are getting cut, the Bears will have more money than just about any team in the league to snatch up experienced vets who were recently good enough to deserve big contracts.

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The Bears haven’t been completely silent during free agency with three quality signings in OLB Pernell McPhee, S Antrel Rolle, and WR Eddie Royal, a couple of minor ones (G Ducasse, LS Gafford), and rumors that they are in the mix for a couple more players (Foster, Satele). Click the individual player links for a detailed breakdown, but this post is focused on remaining free agents who the Bears could be targeting.

All of the contract specifics have yet to be released so we don’t know exactly how much cap space the Bears have left, but Bears cap guru Cliff Stein is a wizard so I am predicting that the money will be there if there is mutual interest between the Bears and their target players.

I will be breaking down free agents options by position that I think would be good fits for the Bears in 2015 and beyond. Obviously they can’t sign all of these players, but the Bears should have enough cap room to potentially sign a few more players as contract demands drop significantly over the next few weeks.

Best Remaining: D-Line | O-Line | Skill Players | Defensive Backs | Linebackers

Defensive Line – Free Agents

Cedric Thornton, Eagles (27 | 6’3 | 309) – 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. In the last two seasons Thornton has finished as the 3rd & 8th best run stopper among 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 with Chip Kelly making the decisions who really knows? Thornton is a difference maker against the run and worth at least an inquiry from the Bears.

Alex Carrington, Rams (27 | 6’5 | 285) – Was one of the best young D-lineman in the league in 2012, but missed most of 2013 with a quad injury and didn’t look like the same player early in 2014. Carrington was starting to round into his 2012 shape mid-year when a series of injuries (quad, knee, thigh) ended his season after week 10. He is two years removed from playing at a dominant level, but he was an effective pass rusher out of both the 3-tech and 5-tech positions with the Bills in 2012 and the Bears could  really use depth at both those spots. Carrington’s experience as a 5-tech would be especially valuable for the Bears in their transition to Fangio’s scheme. He also blocked 4 field goals in 2012 to earn the nickname “Megahand”.

Da’Quan Bowers, Bucs (24 | 6’3 | 280) – Has been a major bust for the Bucs after being a mid-2nd round pick in 2011, but has the size, power and athleticism to be a prototype LE in Fangio’s scheme. Bowers had another disappointing season for the Bucs, which included a 2 game suspension for performance enhancing drugs, and Tampa is reportedly giving up on him. On the bright side, Bowers played one of the best games of his young career in week 17 and you never know when the light bulb is going to go on for a young player. It’s a low risk move for the Bears with the type of upside that could speed up the rebuilding process.

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Ahtyba Rubin, Browns (29 | 6’3 | 315) – The Browns switched Rubin from left end to nose tackle last season and he struggled all year (-14.3). Rubin was much better in 2013 as a 3-4 DE, where he was a force as a run stopper (5.1). He has surprising quickness for a man his size, uses his hands well to disengage and attack ball carriers, and could be a good fit in a 1-gap 3-4 scheme, which is what I think the Bears are going to run next season. Rubin is not going to offer much of a pass rush and didn’t fare well against double teams, but used correctly he could be a very effective run stopper for the Bears at a discounted price after his struggles last season.

CJ Mosely, Lions (32 | 6’3 | 313) – Filled in for Nick Fairley the 2nd half of the season when he was injured and the Lions D didn’t lose much. Mosley is a veteran who has become a solid NFL run stopper. He holds his ground well, disengages to make tackles, but doesn’t offer much in the pass rush. He has the size and ability to hold his ground to be a good 3-4 DE against the run. Mosely has had a positive run stopping grade for 4 seasons in a row and can worst case be a guy who can hold his ground vs double teams and set the edge against the run. The Bears are very weak at RDE and a guy like Mosley could be an above average starter for a season giving the Bears time to develop a younger player at the position. Mosely also won’t cost much at all against the cap.

Mitch Unrein, Broncos (28 | 6’4 | 270) – Has barely played in his 4 years in Denver since signing as an undrafted free agent, but there is a reason the Broncos are making a push to resign him. Unrein is an excellent special teams player and has a quick bust off the line of scrimmage from the interior line. He has the vesatility to backup all three D-line positions in a 3-4 while providing solid value as a special teams player. Unrein is the type of end-of-the-roster player that who adds value both on defense and special teams. An affordable, solid signing for probably the Broncos, but Fox’s relationship may be enough for the Bears to get an upgrade on the bottom third of their roster.