Complete Chicago Bears 2015 Off-Season Projections
By Erik Lambert
NFL Free Agency
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Many Bears fans are just itching for the team to go after one of the big fish like Ndamukong Suh or Justin Houston. Somebody who can change the landscape and attitude of the defense. Unfortunately, such a move would potentially cripple the entire salary cap structure for the team, which isn’t the smartest thing to do if the plan is to build through the draft.
A better idea would be to take a limited stab on a lesser big name who can help in a key spot and then grab some bargains at positions you don’t want to focus on in the draft. Here are four names they should make priorities.
Devin McCourty, FS
There is no question the big fish of this group is Devin McCourty. He’s been the unsung lynch pin of the New England Patriots secondary for years, always being the one doing the right things. He’s a leader, he makes plays and he’s still only 28. Undoubtedly he could fill a big hole on the back end of the Bears secondary.
Henry Hynoski, FB
To get back to old school football, John Fox is going to want old school players. That include a fullback to block for his running backs. Henry Hynoski would be a subtle but huge pickup. He is coming of a great year with the New York Giants in which he posted a +6.4 rating in Pro Football Focus. Just 26, he is a bruiser and does all of his jobs well.
Denarius Moore, WR
Randall Cobb would be ideal but the Bears have to spend their money carefully. Still, they really could use some more speed at wide receiver to compliment Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Denarius Moore showed plenty of that in Oakland. Though he landed on the bench this past season, he has shown he can play. Perhaps a new environment is just what he needs.
Greg Hardy, DE
This would be an interesting situation. Greg Hardy is all but gone from Carolina after his legal troubles and a lot of teams might be scared of that with him. The Bears though have an ace up their sleeve in John Fox, who drafted Hardy when he was head coach of the Panthers. Provided the contract is incentive based, the Bears could use that to land one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL.