• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • In-Season Rankings
    • Standard
    • PPR
  • Waiver Wire
  • Members Only
    • DFS LU TOOL
    • Player Tracker
    • Forum
    • Cheat Sheets
    • Log In
  • Join
Fantasy Knuckleheads

Fantasy Knuckleheads

Fantasy sports news, rankings, sleepers, cheat sheets, stats and tools.

Chicago Bears Priorities Part Two: Defensive Free Agents on Roster and how to Address Them

February 19, 2014 by James Kienzler

Previously, we posted an article detailing how GM Phil Emery should address the offensive/special team free agents the Bears have on roster.

Today we look at the defensive side of the ball. A defense that was ranked 30th in points allowed per game, 30th in total yards allowed per game and dead last in rush yards allowed per game.

I think you see where this is going...

Corey Wootton taking down Brett Favre

What follows are the players that Emery should: 

a) Pursue vigorously, assuming the price is right. 

b) Pursue cautiously, assuming the price is right. 

c) Ignore with extreme prejudice.

A) Pursue with vigor

- Corey Wootton (DT/DE). Versatile, a reliable option while the rest of the line goes through a makeover. Wootton cost $1.3 million this past season and something of that nature per year for three years should be a solid investment.

 

B. Pursue with caution

- Charles Tillman (CB). OK, he's 32. OK, he was hurt for most of the season. But the Bears have only two cornerbacks under contract for next year, Tim Jennings and Isaiah Frey. 

If Tillman can accept a two year offer for a couple million guaranteed, how do the Bears not make that deal?

- Henry Melton (DT). 15.5 sacks in the four-year career for the 27 year old and he is coming off of a torn ACL. So investing a lot of money in him may not make the most sense.

If the Bears can sign Melton to a 4 year deal for a good chunk less than the $8.5 they paid him this year, then do it.

- Jeremiah Ratliff (DT). How much do the Bears want to invest in an older (32), albeit more proven, version of Melton? If the money and years are right, go for it, but if you have to overspend to bring him back, look for help elsewhere.

- Zachary Bowman (CB). Bowman played fairly well (3 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and 42 tackles in 7 starts) in Charles Tillman's absence. Unless he is looking for a starting role, the Bears should be able to bring him back at market price.

- D.J. Williams (ILB). Missed most of the last two seasons, but when 100%, Williams is a capable linebacker who, with Lance Briggs, could help bring along the Bears young linebackers (Jon Bostic, Khaseem Greene and by all accounts, Shea McClellin). 

Assuming the Bears can't find a better option, Williams should be brought back.

- Nate Collins (DT). Surprisingly disruptive in two starts before he tore an ACL. He should be relatively cheap, but if the Bears bring back Melton, Wootton AND Ratliff, then let Collins go elsewhere and look towards the draft to replace him.

C) Ignore with prejudice

- Major Wright (SS). Continual poor tackling, terrible angles, awful gap discipline and lack of ball awareness. Chris Conte was almost equally as abysmal, but Wright is the free agent. Cut your losses.

- Kelvin Hayden (CB). Unfortunately for Hayden, he suffered a torn hamstring during training camp. That fact, coupled with his age (30) and a decent showing by his replacement (Isaiah Frey) means the Bears should not bring back another ageing defensive back who is recovering from injury.

- Craig Steltz (S). Poor showing in his few appearances on defense this season. That, with the Bears having other players on roster specifically for special teams, means it is time to kiss Adam Archuleta Jr. goodbye. 

- James Anderson (OLB). Leading tackler last year, but with Williams, Briggs, last year's draft picks Bostic and Greene, plus probably McClellin moving to the LB position, there is no room for the eight year veteran.

Category - NFL Coverage - Chicago Bears Priorities Part Two: Defensive Free Agents on Roster and how to Address Them

Dominate Your League

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

  • Fantasy Football Draft Psychology: How To Outsmart Your League Mates

    Fantasy Football Draft Psychology: How To Outsmart Your League Mates

  • Which Quarterback Should You Draft in 2021?

    Which Quarterback Should You Draft in 2021?

  • Team Defense Committee vs Streaming Draft Strategy

    Team Defense Committee vs Streaming Draft Strategy

  • Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

    Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

  • Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

    Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

Need To Know

  • Fantasy Football Rankings
  • Average Draft Position (ADP) Report
  • Fantasy Football Draft Projections
  • The Best Waiver Wire Picks
  • Best Optimal Lineup Tool
  • ESPN Insider Coupon Code
  • Premium Fantasy Football Draft Guide
  • Fantasy Football Projections Video Series

Footer

ABOUT US

Established in the summer of 2009, Fantasy Knuckleheads is devoted to providing quality fantasy football news, advice, cheat sheets, tools and services. We’re not a mega-sports-site that churns out content by the pound. We’re simply a small, tight knit group of fantasy experts turned writers that love what we do, especially when we’re right. We strive to tell you something you don’t already know that’s actionable and at the very least, informative.

Fantasy Blog Network

Get This <a href="https://fantasyknuckleheads.com" title="Fantasy Football Rankings"><b>Fantasy Football for all you knuckleheads</b></a>

INFORMATION

  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Fantasy Sports Widget

Copyright © 2023 · Fantasy Knuckleheads ·

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in