Chicago Bears: 4 discounted free agent running backs Ryan Pace must consider

The Chicago Bears have two positions that are lacking the serious depth that could cost them the playoffs. Running back is one of them and Ryan Pace should sign one of these free agents to become the third-string option.

Looking at the Chicago Bears depth chart, running back looks to be lacking some serious depth. With the top back clearly being David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen as the change-of-pace running back, the third-string spot is wide open.

Right now, the top candidate is Ryan Nall. Nall is one of those guys every fan seems to love. The thing is, he is not and never will be a game-changing running back. With two carries for eight yards last season, he has not shown enough for me to trust him as the lead back should Montgomery go down with an injury. Cohen is also not the type of back to sustain the lead role as an every-down back. Have you seen him consistently run up the middle? It is not pretty.

Many will consider Cordarrelle Patterson the third back before Nall, but he too would not make an every-down back. I like him with sub-packages, but not a full workload. The other running backs in the running are Artavis Pierce and Napoleon Maxwell — both are 2020 undrafted free agent rookies. None of these backups are viable options.

The team losing Kerrith Whyte to the Steelers last season is looking even worse now. If Whyte was still on the team, the depth at running back would actually not look as bad. Looking at some free agent names available at the position, guys like Lamar Miller and Devonta Freeman stand out. Although both could come at a decent price, they will likely not be “discounted”. Instead, here are four running backs who could actually come at a very discounted price.