Free agency just piece of Chicago Bears' process
General manager Ryan Pace is steadfast in his belief that successful football teams are built through the draft, so the Chicago Bears weren't expected to make a huge splash in this year's free-agency pool.
And they didn't.
But Pace has done an excellent job of addressing deficient positions and setting himself up to take the best player available with each of seven draft picks April 27-29, rather than having to draft a player higher than his grade to fill a glaring need.
Most of the free-agent additions already are solid starters who are young enough to have their best football ahead of them.
"Free agency is part of our plan, but it's not the entire thing," Pace said. "The entire thing is building this the right way. A lot of times, that's supplementing (through) free agency and building this team through the draft.
"That's really our focus. We want to be responsible through this process, disciplined through this process, and I feel like we've done that and improved our team."
As Pace pointed out, the rehab job from last year's 3-13 disaster has only begun.
"The process is still ongoing," Pace said. "(There are) plenty of avenues to still improve our team, whether it be the second- or third-tier free agents, trades, and obviously the draft's upon us. So there's a lot ahead of us, and that's exciting."
The teams already has been transformed at quarterback, defensive back and wide receiver.
When the Bears open training camp in late July, no position will have a more unfamiliar look than quarterback. After eight years as the starter, Jay Cutler was released. Last year's No. 2 Brian Hoyer and No. 3 Matt Barley both have signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite adding 27-year-old quarterback Mike Glennon and anointing him the starter, Pace indicated the Bears could still draft a quarterback. But how soon?
The only returning quarterback is Connor Shaw, who suffered a season-ending broken leg in the third preseason game last year.
Since the Bears haven't upgraded the defensive line in free agency, Alabama tackle Jonathan Allen still seems to make the most sense with the third overall pick. Drafting a quarterback on Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) seems likely.
There is a ton of DB talent in the draft, and that had been a team weakness for two years heading into free agency. But the Bears added cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper along with safety Quintin Demps. All three could be starters this year.
Cooper just turned 27 and is coming off a breakout season that included 4 interceptions. Amukamara also is 27 but already a six-year veteran who has started 57 games despite several injuries.
Expect the Bears to draft at least one more player at safety and cornerback, where starting-caliber players will be available at least through the third or fourth round, according to many draft analysts.
Demps is still playing good football, but he will be 32 by the time the team reports to Bourbonnais. Amukamara could be the team's No. 1 shutdown corner in 2017, but he's on a one-year deal.
The departure of Alshon Jeffery leaves the Bears without a No. 1 wide receiver, a role they believe can be filled by a healthy Kevin White. But the seventh overall draft pick in 2015 has played just four games in two years because of injuries.
The Bears added wide receivers Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton in free agency. Neither is a No. 1, but their combined contribution could very easily exceed the production they got over the past two seasons from Jeffery - 106 receptions, 1,628 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Wheaton, who just turned 26, is a legitimate deep threat from the slot. He was emerging as an impact player until last year's shoulder surgery stalled his development.
The 28-year-old Wright is not a blazer, but he has excellent quickness. The hope is that, with a fresh start, the former first-round pick can revisit his breakout season of 2013, when he caught 94 passes for 1,079 yards.
There was no proven depth behind No. 1 tight end Zach Miller last year, but the Bears believe they solved that problem by adding ex-Dolphin Dion Sims. An ascending player who just turned 26, Sims is big enough to function as an extra in-line blocker, while also providing a big target with soft hands in the receiving game.
Tom Comptom has 11 starts in five NFL seasons, and the 6-foot-5, 314-pound former sixth-round draft pick can provide offensive line depth at guard and right tackle. This year's draft crop of offensive linemen is considered average at best.
Unrestricted free agents signed by Bears
Pos. Name former team
QB Mike Glennon Buccaneers
CB Prince Amukamara Jaguars
CB Marcus Cooper Cardinals
S Quintin Demps Texans
WR Markus Wheaton Steelers
TE Dion Sims Dolphins
OT Tom Compton Falcons
WR Kendall Wright Titans
Free agents re-signed by Bears
LB Christian Jones
CB Johnthan Banks
PK Connor Barth
TE Daniel Brown
CB Bryce Callahan
WR Josh Bellamy
QB Connor Shaw
LS Patrick Scales
ex-Bear free agents moving on
QB Matt Barkley 49ers
QB Brian Hoyer 49ers
WR Alshon Jeffery Eagles
DE Cornelius Washington Lions
QB Jay Cutler ??????
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