Re-Sign
DT Henry Melton 5 years 37.5 million/18 guaranteed [5/6/7/9/10.5]
OG Lance Louis [4 years 15 million/5 guaranteed] [2/4/4/5]
LB Nick Roach [2 years 6 million/3 guaranteed] [2/4]
CB Kelvin Hayden [2 years 4 million/1 guaranteed] [2/2]
DE Israel Idonjie [1 year/1.5 million] [1.5]
Release/Not Re-sign/Reitre [Money Saved]
LB Brian Urlacher
TE Kellen Davis [3]
WR Devin Hester [2.5]
CB D.J Moore
Restructure
WR Brandon Marshall
DE Julius Peppers
CB Charles Tillman
Free Agents
OT Sebastian Vollmer [New England] 5 years 30 million/16 guaranteed [5/6/7/8/4]
The Bears need to add an OT at some point in the offseason. I think that it is a risk to go into the draft with a need as big as the Bears have at OT. Right now are starters are Webb, who at his best has been average, and Carimi who has struggled terribly at RT. I do not believe that Clady, Albert or Bushrod are going to hit free agency so the Bears need to look at an upgrade from another source. In my opinion Vollmer can play LT or RT and he solidifes one spot and allows the Bears to focus on competition and help at the other. Vollmer will be cheaper and more likely to hit the market than Clady and others because of his age [29] and his injury history.
TE Dustin Keller [NY Jets] 5 years 22.5 million/10 guaranteed [3/4/4/5.5/6]
The Bears TE position is amongst the weakest on the team and it hurts their offence almost every week. Keller provides Cutler with the recieving threat at TE that he wants so badly. Keller is ultra athletic and has solid hands, but he has been crippled by terrible QB play. By coming to Chicago Keller can play with a real QB, be the unquestioned starter and possibly #2 option in the passing game and play for a OC that was a former TE.
QB Drew Stanton [Indianapolis] 2 years 4 million/2 guaranteed [2/2]
With Jay Cutler missing at least a game a year we need someone behind him that can keep the ship on the road for a couple of weeks. Stanton has similar mobility to Cutler and he will not stand at 5 yards like a statue like J Campbell.
LB Jonathan Casillas [New Orleans] 2 years 4 million/2 guaranteed [2/2]
A back up for New Orleans he has a ton of speed and he plays hard and can come here and get a chance to start on a reasonable raise and prove himself as a starter for a new deal. With Roach moving to the middle and Greene being groomed in that spot as the long term answer Casillas can play SLB.
Draft
1[23] OG/C Jonthan Cooper [UNC] 6'3" 320lbs.
The Bears are in the draft position where they can choose the 4th best OT in the draft or pick one of the higher ranked interior players. Cooper or Warmack can come in and start day 1 and provide the Bears with the LG that they need. Cooper is the pick because of his versatility and ability to play C if Carimi continues to develop at OG. While Warmack is a more powerful player, Cooper is more athletic and combines the ability to pull with great pass protection skills. Cooper has the balance and heavy hands that the Bears need to allow Cutler to step up in the pocket and deliver the ball. Cooper also has a mean streak and with his size he gives us two [Lance Louis] 320lbs OGs that will punch you right in the mouth. Cooper immediatly becomes a starter and probably stays there for the next 10 years, he does not have the risk of a guy like Chris Williams.
2[54] LB Khaseem Greene [Rutgers] 6'1" 235lbs.
If Lovie is retained as head coach, which I think he will be, the Bears will be looking for a new MLB and there are 2 things that they will be looking for, speed and ability to cover. Greene has both of these things to spare being a converted safety. Greene can run all over the field and can handle the demands in coverage that the position needs. Greene also has a little New Jersey toughness to him and he plays hard and physical against the run and makes plays with his speed and his aggressiveness.
4. OT Xavier Nixon [Florida] 6'6" 314lbs.
The Bears need to add developmental depth at the OT spot and allow Carimi to move full time to OG and focus on being a good player there. Nixon can come in and compete at RT with Webb, while we develop him as a long term LT. Nixon has incredible athletic ability and has finally shown that he has gotten stronger and can keep weight on. He has started 4 seasons in the SEC and is battle tested with ups and downs along the way.
5. CB Travis Howard [Ohio St] 6'1" 200lbs.
A big physical CB that can be developed behind Charles Tillman and provide depth while contributing on special teams. Howard has the physical skills to be a starting CB in a Cover 2 defense.
6. WR Lanear Sampson [Baylor] 5'11" 200lbs.
The Bears need to move on from Hester who is bringing nothing to the table right now on offense or in the kick return game. Sampson really has one skill and that is to run deep and to force coverage back. He can replace what Hester does on offense and clear out defenses and return kicks.
Depth Chart
QB: Cutler, Stanton
RB: Forte, Bush, Allen, Rodriguez
WR: Marshall, Jeffery, Bennett, Sampson, Weems
TE: Keller, Spaeth, Adams
LT: Vollmer, Nixon
LG: Carimi, E. Williams
C: Cooper
RG: Louis, Garza
RT: Webb, Brown
RE: Peppers, McClellin
DT: Melton, Collins
NT: Paea, Toneia
LE: Wootton, Idonije
SLB: Casillas, Hayes, Costanzo
MLB: Roach, Greene
WLB: Briggs, Thomas
CB: Tillman, Jennings, Hayden, Howard, Frey, McManis
FS: Conte, Hardin
SS: Wright, Steltz, Walter
