5 picks
#75, 109, 141, 181, 218
Wide Receiver
I think it's great that Mike Martz is going to use Hester in the way he formerly utilized Hakim when the "Greatest Show on Turf" was lighting up scoreboards. Well, except for the fact that this team has no outside starters any opposing defense will take seriously. Knox and Aromashodu came on strong at the end of the season. I'm still trying to figure out how the speedy rookie Knox averaged only 11.7 yards per reception, but he should have more big plays with the new crazy offense. Bennett showed well which was to be expected with his former college quarterback throwing to him and maybe rookie Juaquin Iglesias develops. Overall, this unit still lacks a feared outside starter for this cast of players to fall in line behind. On the plus side, their running game improved with the signing of Chester Taylor (Vikings) and bolstering the fullback position with Eddie Williams (Redskins). He should compete with another second-year player Will Ta'ufo'ou for the right to never be used in Martz's offense.
Offensive Line
Is it fair to say Jay Cutler's first season with the team was uneven? He somehow managed 3,666 passing yards and 27 touchdowns which would be fine if not for the 26 interceptions and 35 sacks. Matt Forte regressed in his second season as well. Both issues can in part be attributed to the offensive line. Orlando Pace's tank was revealed to be empty after a great career with the Rams, and he was cut. Chris Williams is now healthy and ready to take on the left tackle spot. Elsewhere, age is becoming an issue. At center this might be it for Kruetz especially since he is a free agent next year. The guard spots are manned by Omiyale and Garza for the moment, but poor play and age are the respective concerns. There is chatter about moving Omilaye to right tackle where Shaffer is mediocre and just hit 30. They do have some talent on board with Louis and Asiata candidates at guard while Marten could step up at right tackle. Given their low picks total it makes sense to grab a center capable of starting his career at guard, which is common practice.
Free Safety/Cornerback
This is a sore spot. The secondary is loaded with physical, run supporting types on the strong side. They are looking for a free safety to play the football. The lines are really getting blurry in the modern NFL when it comes to positions in the secondary with so many players being forced into nickel and dime situations regularly. The 'tweener draft prospect who might be a free safety and might be a corner no longer is such a problem because teams in need of someone to play the football can take the guy and figure it out later. This might be the case with the Bears this season because there are questions at cornerback where Tillman is injury-prone and Vasher is regressing. He regressed so much the team cut him. His roster spot will be filled by the signing of Tim Jennings (Colts) a second round pick in 2006.
Defensive Tackle
For a while now Anthony Adams has been good with a stick, as in using it to fend off guys trying to take his job. Listed at six feet he is obviously undersized, yet no one has been able to get him off the field. The knee issues of sometimes star Tommie Harris are also a concern. Dvoracek was a restricted free agent, but not tendered and it is easy to see why. He has barely been healthy in four years. Toeina was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent, signed it and is basically a warm body on the roster. After jumping out of a pool and into the NFL as a third round pick Jarron Gilbert is waiting his turn. Even if there are enough players on hand in a perfect world, it is worth noting this defense allowed 126.4 yards per game, tenth most in the league. An added pass rush outside with Peppers is going to help, but they can't be complacent inside.
Defensive End
Signing Julius Peppers (Panthers) makes it a little easier for fans to wait until late in the second evening of the draft before they pick. His presence means Ogunleye, currently unrestricted and recovering from a fractured fibula which did not require surgery, would only be back at the team's price. They tendered Anderson (second round) as a restricted free agent but have addressed their need for a better pass rush. The tragic passing of Gaines Adams made this their top priority and now the situation looks good if Ogunleye sticks around and is healthy. Depth could be addressed in the draft after Alex Brown was released.
Special Teams
They are mostly in good shape, starting with kicker Robbie Gould. In the past four years he has connected on 87.6% and the only complaint would be lack of activity from 50+ yards. He finally made the first two of his career last season (2/3) after having attempted from that distance just twice previously. Here is the rub. The team would be fine with punting from the 33-36 if they had a better option than Brad Maynard. He is average pinning teams inside the 10 or 20, and below average in terms of distance. Five of the past seven seasons he has been in the 41 range which usually ranks close to the bottom of the NFL. The final issue is retaining restricted free agent Danieal Manning who provides depth at safety and handles the kickoff returns. They gave him a third round tender and should get him back. Finding a punter is the priority.
Linebacker
An eye on the long term future is the only thing to keep in mind at this position. Tinoisamoa recovering from a torn PCL and signed an undisclosed deal to return, but it is hard to know how much he has to offer. McClover was good on special teams, but is probably out in free agency. They tendered Roach (second round) as a restricted free agent. He made the starting lineup midway through the 2008 season, lost it in camp this past season and regained it when other players got hurt. One of them of course was Urlacher whose wrist is still months from being normal. For a defensive back this might not be such a problem, and at 31 it is probably not time to draft a future replacement just yet so don't freak out Bears fans. Jamar Williams, who was tendered (fourth rounder) as a restricted free agent, might be a future starter and provides versatility. Tim Shaw is great on special teams, having led the team with 30 tackles as part of the coverage unit. He signed as an exclusive rights free agent. Overall the Bears don't have that many glaring holes and could surprise by adding a middle linebacker.
