Bear Digest

Ryan Poles' Work Barely Half Done

Analysis: The initial free agency rush altered Bears draft needs and left some major roster gaps to plug for their GM in the draft or late free agency.

Gene Chamberlain

Ryan Poles' Work Barely Half Done
Ryan Poles' Work Barely Half Done /
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Free agency continues into next week and beyond, usually with signings taking place right up until the draft.

Considering the way the first few days ravaged the free agent market, there's unlikely to be much to consider by the beginning of April let alone the draft near the end of the month.

It's only been five days since the negotiations began and the crop looks like a picked-over turkey two days after Thanksgiving.

There's not much meat left on those bones but there are a few players a team could sign.

Still, the focus now can go more toward the draft.

The series of signings Bears GM Ryan Poles had after the initial day, and the trade for Keenan Allen managed to save the team's free agency period.

Their needs for the draft have now been altered based on the degree to which they've met theirr needs at key positions in free agency.

Here's what they need to be looking for heading into a draft now greatly limited because there are only four picks.

Anticipate Poles trading down to gain an extra pick or two, and the one pick where they could get the greatest value by trading back is obviously No. 9 in Round 1—unless they have no intention of trading Justin Fields and were to trade No. 1 for the second straight year.

Needs Addressed: Wide receiver, running back, safety, center, backup offensive line, backup tight end, linebacker, backup quarterback, long snapper. 

1. Quarterback

After the way they've handled Justin Fields' situation, it's apparent they  quarterback as a position to fill at the beginning of the draft. Adding veterans at receiver and center are sure indicators they're going to be using an inexperienced quarterback.

Poles could have stepped in at any time and simply said they were keeping Fields if this is the case. At first there was the issue of preserving the element of uncertainty in the marketplace. They needed to be quiet about both their decision at No. 1 and with Fields because it could have affected what they would get back in a return either way. However, the QB market has come and gone for free agency and no one really seems to care what they're doing with Fields. Maybe Pittsburgh is interested after dumping both of its backup QBs. 

If the Bears were to trade the top pick, the lines would reform quickly. So if they were looking to field offers, they'd have no reluctance at getting word out that Fields is starter again for 2024. 

At this point, when there is almost no market for Fields, stealth is rather pointless in that regard.

2. Defensive End

The first two defensive needs are virtually interchangable. They have players at both spots, just not in sufficient quantity or quality.

In case anyone failed to notice, Yannick Ngakoue and Rasheem Green are gone and the Bears signed no serious candidate on the edge to replace them. They signed journeyman Jake Marrtin, who has 18 sacks since 2018 with six teams. Dominique Robinson remains and has shown no ability to play the position. DeMarcus Walker and Montez Sweat are operating alone, Walker a good run defender who had decent pressure without finishing the deal last year. Perhaps Year 2 will change this.

Either way, they might need to draft two edge rushers if they don't sign a very low-cost veteran very late in free agency.

It would be totally unexpected if the rookie QB they decided upon was North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels.

3. Defensive Tackle

The most vital position in this defensive scheme got ignored.

That's the 3-technique.

Not only is Justin Jones with Arizona but no one came in to replace him and the Bears are left with second-year players Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens playing the position after showing very little ability to stop the run last year. There were some pass rush flashes from both but the Bears went from next to last in run defense for 2022 to No. 1 last year largely due to the presence of Jones, nose tackle Andrew Billings and weakside linebacker T.J. Edwards. Without someone at least as capable as Jones, their run defense stands a good chance of backsliding.

The problem is finding that elusive 3-technique who can be dominant right away. Finding one in college seems almost impossible because the scheme demands the spot be played differently than with most college defenses.

4. Wide Receiver

Sure, they obtained Keenan Allen to team with DJ Moore but what else?

Tyler Scott might be able to handle third receiver after 19 catches last year as a rookie, but players of that experience level are difficult to predict for Year 2. Velus Jones Jr. has all the athletic ability in the world but in Year 3 now is a disappointment who couldn't even contribute as a punt returner. Perhaps Dante Pettis can fill a role now that he's back healthy with the team but the better idea might be drafting one or signing a low-cost free agent.

5. Tight End

Gerald Everett can be the move tight end. They need a third because Shane Waldron's offense has used 12- and 13-personnel quite often in the past. What they don't have is that blocking tight end like last year, and the draft normally isn't a good place for this. Good NFL blocking tight ends are made in training camp and at practices rather than in games or in college. It's an acquired skill based on playing style and player size. Might it be worthwhile to draft one? A lower-level signing in free agency seems a more likely choice. Bringing back Marcedes Lewis at age 40 doesn't seem likely, especially with Green Bay's offense now a thing of the past.

6. Punter

They have one, but adding one as competition seems a matter more for the wavier wire or free agent scrap heap than the draft. 

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

BearDigest.com publisher Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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