Will Bears try to fill cornerback need?

While the Bears don't need to replace two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman immediately, the clock is ticking.

The 6-foot-2, 198-pounder is 33 and cannot continue to play much longer at the same high level he has for the past decade. He missed the final seven games last season with a triceps injury that landed him on injured reserve.

So it wouldn't be a shock if general manager Phil Emery used an early pick in the NFL draft this year on a cornerback, even though defensive tackle and safety are considered greater needs.

If the Bears draft a cornerback this year, chances are he will be a big one.

Tillman's running mate for the last four seasons, Tim Jennings, signed a four-year, $22 million deal in January. But Jennings is just 5-foot-8, and with the proliferation of giant wide receivers in the NFL, bigger is now considered better when it comes to corners.

Depth-wise, the Bears are fairly strong with 10-year veteran Kelvin Hayden and 2012 sixth-round draft pick Isaiah Frey battling for the nickel corner spot during training camp.

But Jennings is 30 and Hayden will turn 31 during training camp, so an infusion of youth at corner is a possibility.

Backup Sherrick McManis, a 6-foot-1, four-year veteran from Northwestern, has the size to match up with bigger wideouts. So far, however, he has not been much more than a standout on special teams.

Youngsters C.J. Wilson, Demontre Hurst and Derricus Purdy are also in the mix, but not one of them appears to be a starting-caliber player at this point.