What a week it was for Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears. Fans expecting the action to start at the beginning of free agency and the new league year had another thing coming.
Poles wasn't going to wait until the legal tampering period began to start making moves. He saw multiple opportunities to improve the roster beforehand, so he did.
Between trading for both Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, re-signing some of the Bears' own key free agents and also adding a solid blocking tight end in Durham Smythe, Poles was busy.
Since Chicago got a whole lot done by way of a couple of priorities before free agency even opened, now we can look ahead at some other players who fit what the Bears are trying to do. Let's check in on four names, in particular, whom the Bears should be targeting.0
The Bears can prioritize four free agents that make the most sense after the recent flurry of roster moves
Drew Dalman, C
Of course, the one free agent fans can't stop talking about right now is center Drew Dalman. He's a consensus top-10 free agent on the market and the best free agent interior lineman. Oh, and he happens to fill the one final starting spot on this Bears offensive line.
Dalman would be the prize of all prizes for the Bears, at this point.
Paulson Adebo, CB
The Bears obviously have Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson locked in as starters, but part of me can't help but wonder whether or not Stevenson could use some friendly competition. A new coordinator like Dennis Allen will not put up with Stevenson's attitude or antics.
Speaking of Allen, Paulson Adebo played for Allen in New Orleans. After suffering a season-ending injury, Adebo is reportedly healthy and would give the Bears phenomenal competition and depth at the position.
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Ryan Kelly, C
If the Bears can't get their hands on Dalman, then Ryan Kelly becomes the immediate Plan B. He is 31 years old but would be a nice stop-gap at center for Chicago, who could go out and draft a potential replacement on Day 2.
Khalil Mack, DE
The Bears' other clear need remains at defensive end. Getting another pass rusher in free agency, and adding one in the draft, should be something we see the Bears do, without a doubt. Khalil Mack returning to Chicago would be a big story, but he'd also give the Bears another formidable starter next to Montez Sweat.
Mack isn't the player he once was, but he's still effective. Plus, if the Bears paired he and Sweat with a rookie drafted within the top three rounds, that would give the Bears a nice trio of pass rushers.