Chicago Bears: 5 Free Agents That Offer Youth Advantage
By Erik Lambert
For a team like the Chicago Bears, free agency can’t just be about acquiring good players. Since they were 6-10 and need to form a core moving forward to build around, what they need are good, young players. With that in minds, here’s a list of some of the best free agents who fall on the less seasoned side of the bracket.
RB Lamar Miller (24-years old)
It sure seems like the Bears are content to move forward with Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey at running back. Understandable given how well they played in limited reps last season. However, if the team is interested in adding a third head to that committee, Lamar Miller is among the youngest free agents on the market, and also one of the fastest. He had 872 yards and eight touchdowns on just 194 carries in 2015.
TE Dwayne Allen (25-years old)
Zach Miller is a free agent and feelings are growing that Martellus Bennett could be out. This might lead to a gaping hole at tight end. Dwayne Allen hasn’t posted superstar numbers, but he proved an intriguing target for Andrew Luck in Indianapolis. He’s still discovering the depths of his talent and has more growing to do. No question he’d be worth the look.
ILB Danny Trevathan (25-years old)
By far one of the most popular names on Bears fan circuits. Danny Trevathan represents the Valhalla they’ve sought for finding solutions at inside linebacker, a position that has fallen into a state of mediocrity since Brian Urlacher retired. Trevathan is coming off a Super Bowl title, offers tons of versatility and is just beginning to enter the prime of his career.
OLB Jonathan Newsome (25-years old)
Off-the-field troubles with marijuana got Jonathan Newsome cut from the Indianapolis Colts. It’s an unfortunate turn for the outside linebacker who got off to such a great start with 6.5 sacks as a rookie in 2014. Maybe this situation might teach him a lesson. The Bears could at least give him a one-year deal to prove he’s learned something. If he has, then they may secure a valuable young piece for their defense.
S Tashaun Gipson (25-years old)
The 2015 season was a down year for Tashaun Gipson. Before that he had established himself as one of the best free safeties in the NFL, collecting 11 interceptions between 2013 and 2014 in less than two full seasons (missed five games in ’14). He’s still so young but already a Pro Bowl talent. He’d be a terrific fit for the 3-4 scheme Vic Fangio run.