Chicago Bears – Remaining Free Agents (Defensive Backs)

Cornerback

Tarell Brown, Raiders (30 | 5’10 | 190) – Solid veteran corner with experience playing in Fangio’s scheme. Brown struggled with the Raiders last season, but a new scheme and lack of pass rush were factors. Reuniting Brown with Fangio and Donatell could get him back to his 2013 form when he was PFF’s 31st ranked corner overall. Brown could push Jennings inside to the slot or give the Bears a starting quality backup.

Patrick Robinson, Saints (27 | 5’11 | 190) – A former first round pick who struggled for most of his career with the Saints before showing signs of competence in the second half of last season after moving to the slot. Robinson has elite athleticism and a strong build but has struggled with technique. He has the strength and agility to play in Fangio’s press / zone hybrid scheme though he will need some work with DB coach Donatell on his technique to become a quality starter. The market for corners has been a bit ridiculous, but if the Bears can get Robinson in the $3M per year range his upside is worth that type of investment.

UPDATE: The Chargers have signed Robinson to a 1-year, $2M deal.

Charles Tillman, Bears (34 | 6’1 | 196) – This is sentimental but Tillman is my favorite Bear since Mike Brown. Can Tillman stay healthy? Probably not. Can he be effective in a press / zone coverage combo? Absolutely. He’s old, but has the size, strength, and instincts to be a very effective corner in Fangio’s scheme. He’s been of one of the most consistent Bears over the last ten seasons and is worth a $2M flier to see if he has another year left. Worst case Tillman can teach Fuller, Hurst, and Louis-Jean the Tillman punch.

Brandon Harris, Titans (25 | 5’9 | 191) – Undersized corner who reminds me a lot of Tim Jennings before the Bears acquired him. They are similar size, both former 2nd round picks, and both very aggressive. Harris struggled with his original team (HOU), but played well the last three weeks of 2014 as a slot corner with the Titans. It won’t cost the Bears much to sign Harris and a team can never have enough depth at corner.