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Bears’ free agency primer: Targets, needs, predictions for critical rebuild moment originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
A critical moment in the Bears’ transformational offseason arrives Monday when the NFL’s legal tampering window opens at 11 a.m. CT.
After signing veteran safety Kevin Byard on Sunday, general manager Ryan Poles has around $56 million in salary cap space to play with when the free agency bell rings. When you factor in the cost of signing the draft class, the Bears should have around $45 million to spend if they choose to.
Fourty-five million dollars is a lot to play with as Poles looks to fill critical holes in the roster ahead of the potentially transformational decision to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.
Here’s a breakdown of the Bears’ needs, potential targets, and a prediction for how they’ll attack each hole.
Wide receiver
Potential targets:
Calvin Ridley
Gabe Davis
Tyler Boyd
Curtis Samuel
The Bears have an elite No. 1 wide receiver in DJ Moore, but they depth behind the 26-year-old is lacking.
With Darnell Mooney expected to exit in free agency, the Bears must add at least two receivers this offseason. I expect one to come via the 2024 NFL Draft and the other to come in the form of a lower-cost veteran in free agency.
Ridley would be a great compliment to Moore, but he is expected to have a robust market that sees him haul in a contract with an annual average value in the $18-$20 million range. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the New England Patriots are expected to try to land the Alabama product.
The Bears should feel good about the second and third tier of receivers in the free-agent market.
Boyd is a reliable veteran with good hands. He is a willing blocker out of the slot and a good route runner. A down 2023 might suppress his market, but he’d be a nice fit if the Bears plan to add their No. 2 early in the draft.
Davis is a vertical threat who can take the top of defenses, but he was a complete non-factor…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-free-agency-primer-targets-194921455.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-03-10 19:49:21
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