Chicago Bears Free Agent Signings Give Them NFL Draft Flexibility
During the first day of the official start of the 2016 NFL season, the Chicago Bears wasted no time in getting the player that they wanted. Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan inked a four-year deal with the Bears worth $24.4 million. Following the signing of Trevathan, Chicago also agreed to terms with right tackle Bobbie Massie. Both of these additions have given the Bears more room to maneuver in the upcoming draft in late April.
Trevathan’s presence in the middle of Chicago’s linebacking corps will definitely be an immediate upgrade from Shea McClellin, whose future in the Windy City is uncertain. The arrival of Trevathan also gives the Bears the opportunity of not having to use their 11th overall pick on someone like Alabama’s Reggie Ragland to improve their inside linebacker spot.
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Having Massie come in as the right tackle in 2016 puts three-time Pro Bowler Kyle Long back at his natural position of right guard, which will add a little more depth in the interior of the offensive line. The combination of having Trevathan sure up the middle of Chicago’s defense, and Massie bolstering the O-line will make things much easier for Bears general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox when it comes to deciding what rookie to select in the first round.
Since inside linebacker isn’t that much of a priority now, Chicago can now focus on strengthening their defense with the addition of a defensive lineman. If for some reason Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner slips on the draft board, he could help a Bears pass rush that seemed to flourish late in the 2015 season with Lamarr Houston and Willie Young. There are also prospects like Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson, who is versatile enough to play any position along the defensive line.
Let’s not forget that this is still the early stage of free agency, and that there are rumblings of the Bears signing defensive end Akiem Hicks. In the event that this happens, Chicago can therefore have the option of focusing their attention on their secondary.
Another move that the Bears made in the first day of free agency is re-signing cornerback Tracy Porter, but there is still room for improvement on the backend of the defense. Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple is another viable choice as a first-round selection. Porter is a seasoned veteran, but doesn’t have many years ahead of him. Apple could be half of a solid cornerback duo along with Kyle Fuller for a very long time.
The Bears can also invest their 11th overall pick on the offensive side of the ball. As mentioned earlier, Massie’s presence has improved Chicago’s offensive front, and drafting the likes of Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley or Michigan State’s Jack Conklin to be their new left tackle could not only solidify the Bears’ O-line, but also protect the blindside of quarterback Jay Cutler a little better, ensuring that he has another productive season under center.
With just one day of the 2016 NFL free-agency period in the books, the Bears have done a lot to help them in the near and distant future. Assuming that more major moves will be made before the draft, Chicago can get a lot of things in order on their roster, and use that first-round pick on the best available player rather than strictly drafting for need.