Chicago Bears Updated 2017 NFL Draft Needs: Post-Free Agency

The Chicago Bears did a lot of work in free agency over the past week. Enough to answer some vital questions about their roster.

A bigger question is how does this impact their overall 2017 draft outlook? Typically GM Ryan Pace aims for an approach that allows him to free up the Bears to take the absolute best player available with every pick. Thus free agency becomes about filling needs with reasonably priced veterans who can start while the draft is focused around getting top tier talent.

So have they done the job? Here is a breakdown of their top roster needs going into the draft after their newest additions.

#9:  Running Back

Jordan Howard is going to be a star in the NFL for a long time. For him to dominate the way he did as a 5th round rookie? That’s pretty special. With that being said, he’s still just one man at a very physically demanding position. Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey haven’t shown they can step in to replace him if he ever went down. Besides that, the team could really use a complimentary back who is more of a factor in the passing game.

#8:  Outside Linebacker

Leonard Floyd, Pernell McPhee and Willie Young proved they could be a formidable trio last season when healthy. Lamarr Houston also returns from knee surgery and Roy Robertson-Harris remains an intriguing project. Even so the depth remains a major concern at outside linebacker. Injuries really hampered Floyd and McPhee last season. Can the Bears really trust them to stay healthy for an entire season?

#7:  Wide Receiver

Losing Alshon Jeffery was undoubtedly a tough blow, but not a fatal one. Thanks to the additions of Rueben Randle, Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright the Bears have made up in depth what they lost in name power. Contrary to popular belief, Jeffery was not a #1 wide receiver. The Bears lost that when they traded Brandon Marshall, wise as that decision was. So if they can land one of those, great but there is plenty to work with on this roster.

#6:  Cornerback

They may not have that quintessential lock down guy but the Bears definitely have a lot of experienced depth now. The arrivals of Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper aren’t flashy, but they help a lot. Together with a returning Kyle Fuller and growing crop of youngsters like Cre’Von LeBlanc, Bryce Callahan and Deiondre Hall the team have options to choose from. A lot more than last year. That much is impossible to argue.