Chicago Bears Draft Needs – Defense

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3.) Defensive Back

The Bears secondary has played better than anyone expected the last few weeks, but the reality is that they are making it happen with players not expected to contribute much this season. Tracy Porter has always been an NFL-quality starter but has struggled to stay healthy the last few years and the injury issues may crop up again. As good as Porter has played, there is a reason he was available for a veteran minimum contract.

Former first round pick Kyle Fuller has rebuilt some value lately and could still very well develop into an upper-division starting corner, but he’s not there yet. I was very high on current slot corner Bryce Callahan and he’s played well, but the sample size of three games just isn’t enough to be sure teams won’t find a glaring weakness in his coverage in the future.

Those are three potentially solid pieces at the corner position, but the Bears have very little corner talent to back them up. Alan Ball makes so many mistakes that he can’t stay on the field, despite being the Bears 2nd highest paid corner. Sherrick McManis has been exposed as a special teams only type player, while rookie Jacoby Glenn has talent but is completely unproven.

At safety it is even bleaker with just rookie Adrian Amos proving that he is a legit NFL starting safety. The Bears do have veteran Antrel Rolle under contract next year, but honestly he seems to hurt the team as often as he helps it. Journeyman Chris Prosinski was a nice story last week, but he was awful the week before and there are reasons he has bounced around the league the last five years.

The Bears do have a couple of young safety prospects in Harold Quartey-Jones and Demontre Hurst, who is being converted from corner and currently on the practice squad, but neither of those players are far enough along in their development that they can be counted on as significant pieces next season.

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So where does that leave the Bears secondary in 2016? With three sold corners, but no proven depth behind them, and only one quality starter at safety. The Bears finally have a safety to build around in Amos, but they could really use a consistent presence across from him at the position.

I would prefer the Bears sign a solid free agent safety, but I could see GM Ryan Pace trying to find another Amos in the draft. As for the cornerback position, I would be shocked if the Bears didn’t address it with at least one pick early in this years draft.

I’m going to extend the list to five players for this one, since it really covers three positions (CB, SS, FS). Here are some players I think the Bears could target in the 2016 draft.

1.) CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech – Round 1-2

2.) S Jamal Adams, LSU – Round 1-2

3.) CB Desmond King, Iowa – Round 2-3

4.) S Jayron Kearse, Clemson – Round 2-3

5.) CB Kevon Seymour, USC – Round 3