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Chicago Bears: Attempting A Ryan Pace Style Off-Season

By Erik Lambert

Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace looks on from the sidelines before the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace looks on from the sidelines before the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

What is known about Pace in regarding free agency? He’s not afraid to spend some money but if he’s going to, it will be on wise investments. Players who are on the younger side and have careers that are trending up. He also doesn’t pool his resources into just one or two guys either. He’s stated on  more than one occasion that he likes to “spread the wealth.”

With these parameters in mind, here is one way he’d be able to do that without breaking the bank.

Jack Doyle (TE)

One of those guys who just literally came out of nowhere. Jack Doyle was a nobody before 2016. Then Coby Fleener left and he stepped up on the Indianapolis Colts depth chart. What they got out of him was 59 catches for 584 yards and five touchdowns. Better than high-priced teammate Dwayne Allen. His 6’6″ frame and decent speed presented a nice target for Andrew Luck all year.

Logan Ryan (CB)

Malcolm Butler gets all the attention in New England these days, but part of their recent defensive success must also go to Logan Ryan. The soft-spoken cornerback has turned in a tremendous 2016 season with 92 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and two interceptions. His versatility is evident every week and he has that sticky reputation most Patriots corners do that frustrate even the best wide receivers.

https://twitter.com/RFootball/status/823355965898629120

Tony Jefferson (S)

The Bears had a shot at him last year as a restricted free agent but didn’t bite. This time Tony Jefferson left no doubt he can be a playmaker at safety. He did a little bit of everything for the Arizona Cardinals with 98 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. Make no mistake though, he is a pure strong safety. Playing coverage is not his game. Put him around the line of scrimmage and let him do his thing.

Kenny Stills (WR)

Cameron Meredith and Alshon Jeffery have their own positive traits as receivers. One is a crisp route runner, the other a big target who is magic on 50/50 balls. What the Bears don’t have is a legitimate deep threat. Somebody who can stress defenses down the field. Kenny Stills was just that for Miami, averaging 17.3 yards per catch and scoring nine touchdowns.

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