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Chicago Bears’ 2017 Positional Needs: Cornerback

By Bryan Dietzler

Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions fullback Zach Zenner (34) is pressured by Chicago Bears cornerback Tracy Porter (21) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions fullback Zach Zenner (34) is pressured by Chicago Bears cornerback Tracy Porter (21) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) celebrates during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Oakland Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) celebrates during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Oakland Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

If you look at the free agent market for the cornerback position, you will see that there are a few guys that could interest the Bears.  This writer’s top five free agent cornerbacks include (in no order):

Malcolm Butler-New England

A.J. Bouye-Houston

Logan Ryan-New England

Trumaine Johnson-Los Angeles

Stephone Gilmore-Buffalo

Through the media, the Bears have been linked to Bouye and Gilmore but are those are just rumors?  Ideas and wishes perhaps?  Chicago has more than enough money to spend on free agents so money won’t be an issue.  But they don’t want to overpay for a cornerback.

Which one of these five athletes would be the best for the Bears?

Butler may command too high of a price and New England may decide to keep him anyway.  But will they keep both him and Ryan?  It also seems like whenever a player from the Patriots goes to another team, they aren’t as good as they were in New England.  I am sure fans and experts have noticed that (Matt Cassel among others).  Could that trend continue with Butler and Ryan?

After watching several Houston Texans’ game this season, it has been seen that Bouye has shown himself to be solid.  He has performed well in almost all situations (witnessed) and would be an upgrade over Porter.  But he doesn’t have a long track record of success and has been more of a “one year wonder”.  Can he continue that success in Chicago or will he fall flat?

Gilmore is an interesting prospect but his previous two seasons have been opposite of what Bouye has experienced.  Gilmore was great in 2015 but struggled in 2016.  Can he find the magic that he had in 2015?  Would the Bears be smart signing someone who has been slipping?  Can they afford to take that risk?

Finally, you have Johnson, a guy who is very strong in coverage but not so well-adept in run support.  He can cover most any receiver and a guy that can do that is someone the Bears must have.  But will he be a liability against the run?

Which one of these guys should the Bears take a shot at?

I think that Johnson is the Bears best bet although Bouye is a close second.  They could be happy with either of them.  And they both would be an upgrade over what they have right now.

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