Weighing the Pros and Cons of Chicago Bears' Top Free-Agent Targets
NFL free agency is set to officially begin on March 10, and the Chicago Bears are currently in the process of narrowing down their list of free-agent targets.
As general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox go through their list of potential targets, they are likely taking an exhaustive look at each player's pros and cons.
"We'll be calculated," Pace said about the team's approach to free agency, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. "In a perfect world, you address a lot of your needs in free agency to open up the draft for best player available."
According to Over the Cap, the Bears have $28,827,772 of cap space available after the salary cap was increased to $143.28 million this past Monday, and Pace is willing to be aggressive if he needs to be.
"If there is a player that we know can upgrade us right now, we'll attack it," Pace said at the combine, via Wiederer.
With roughly a week left to evaluate the pros and cons of each big-name target, Pace and Fox have little time left to formulate their plan for free agency.
If the pros outweigh the cons, the following big-name free agents could be in play for the Bears when free agency opens next Tuesday.
ILB David Harris
1 of 5
Pros
Regarded as one of the NFL's best run-stoppers since coming into the league in 2007, New York's David Harris has racked up 884 tackles, 30 sacks and six interceptions in eight seasons with the Jets.
According to Pro Football Focus, he finished last season with 41 tackles, 26 stops and 13 assists on 373 snaps versus the run. His 28.0 tackle efficiency was fourth-best among all inside linebackers.
He is not a flashy linebacker, but he is consistent and has not missed a game since the 2008 season.
In addition to what he can do versus the run, he is also highly regarded in the locker room.
"The man has no ego whatsoever; he's team-oriented all the way," Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com wrote about Harris.
He would instantly become the best inside linebacker on Chicago's roster if signed.
Cons
One of the few cons regarding Harris is his age. He turned 31 this past January and has played a lot of snaps in his eight-year career.
Per Pro Football Focus, Harris has played 3,249 of New York's 3,267 snaps on defense over the course of the last three seasons.
While he has been stellar against the run throughout his career, he has struggled at times versus the pass. He does not possess the athleticism to match up with running backs and tight ends in the passing game, and opposing teams know they can expose him if they can force him to drop into coverage.
Final Verdict
Harris is a dependable veteran who has proved over the last eight seasons he can be counted on each and every Sunday. The Bears tried to replace Brian Urlacher in the middle of the field with guys like Jon Bostic, D.J. Williams and Darryl Sharpton, but none were able to have much success.
Harris would only be a stopgap for a couple of seasons, but he could help bring stability to the inside linebacker position in Vic Fangio's new 3-4 defense.
DT Ndamukong Suh
2 of 5
Pros
After years of wreaking havoc in the middle of Detroit's defensive line, Ndamukong Suh is set to hit the open market next week after the Lions opted not to use the franchise tag on the 28-year-old defensive tackle.
In six seasons with the Lions, Suh registered 239 tackles and 36 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl four times.
He has the ability to take over a game with his speed, athleticism and strength and has statistically been one of the NFL's best defensive tackles since entering the league in 2010.
Pro Football Focus gave Suh a plus-27.5 grade for the 2014 season, and his 37 quarterback hurries were the most among all defensive tackles.
While he was viewed as a 3-technique defensive tackle coming out of college, he has shown he can line up at multiple spots along the defensive line.
"Of his 924 snaps last season 381 came from guard to guard (2-tech, 1-tech, 0-tech), 482 were in the B gap (3-tech, 4i-tech), and 61 came outside of that (4-tech and greater)," wrote Michael Renner of ProFootballFocus.com. "Suh’s immense physical traits allow him this versatility."
Even though the Bears are moving over to a 3-4 defense that uses 0-technique defensive tackles and 5-technique defensive ends, Suh could still find a spot along the defensive line because of his versatility.
Cons
Despite being one of the most dominant players in the league over the last six seasons, Suh has a reputation for being reckless on the field.
He has been fined by the NFL eight times for player-safety violations and was fined $70,000 this past season after he won his appeal of a one-game suspension he received for stepping on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in late December. According to ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein, Suh has lost $420,669 due to fines and suspensions.
He may be one of the best in the league, but the Bears will need to determine whether or not he is worth the potential headache.
Final Verdict
Few defensive tackles can dominate the pace of a football game quite like Suh can. He can collapse the pocket with his explosiveness and speed or plug up the running game with his strength and leverage.
Despite his strengths, the questions about his recklessness on the field still remain. Even if the Bears think they can live with his recklessness, Suh will likely be looking for a contract that tops the $100 million deal that J.J. Watt signed last September.
While the Bears have ample salary-cap space, they are likely better suited spending their money on a multitude of players, instead of investing in a 28-year-old defensive tackle who has not been able to restrain himself on the field over the last six years.
OLB Brian Orakpo
3 of 5
Pros
Outside linebacker Brian Orakpo burst onto the scene in 2009 for the Washington Redskins when he registered 50 tackles and 11 sacks as a rookie. His performance helped him land a spot in the Pro Bowl.
In six NFL seasons he has registered 254 tackles, 40 sacks, 17 pass deflections and six forced fumbles.
When healthy, Orakpo is one of the league's most consistent pass-rushers. He has terrific short-area quickness, uses his hands well in traffic and has an arsenal of pass-rushing moves.
Cons
Health is the biggest concern regarding Orakpo moving forward. He has played only 24 games over the last three seasons, including just seven last year before he was placed on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury.
Even when healthy, he has been unable to match the 11 sacks he registered as a rookie back in 2009. While he consistently creates disruption, he struggles at times with actually wrapping up the quarterback. Additionally, he has struggled in the past against the run, and opposing teams know they can attack him in the running game.
Final Verdict
His injury history is definitely a concern, but because of that, the Bears may be able to sign him to a team-friendly deal.
According to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 in Washington, D.C., Orakpo and the Redskins have been in contract talks, but it appears unlikely he will sign with them anytime soon:
"Redskins and Brian Orakpo had been working on a long term contract extension, told "it's not looking good" Falcons are very interested.
— Dianna Marie Russini (@NBCdianna) March 3, 2015"
Even though he has struggled with injuries for the better part of the last three seasons, Orakpo should be an option for the Bears if they can get him at a reasonable price.
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DE/OLB Pernell McPhee
4 of 5
Pros
A fifth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 out of Mississippi State, Pernell McPhee is one of the most versatile players in this year's crop of free agents.
Initially a 5-technique defensive end when he entered the league, McPhee has spent time at defensive end, defensive tackle and outside linebacker during his first four years in the NFL.
He registered 17 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season and finished as Pro Football Focus' second-best outside linebacker with a plus-26.0 grade. He also registered 35 quarterback hurries and 21 quarterback hits in just 540 snaps.
One of McPhee's biggest strengths is his versatility. He has the ability to collapse the pocket as a defensive tackle, can set the edge versus the run as a defensive end and can apply pressure to the quarterback as an edge-rusher.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller listed McPhee as the third-best 3-4 outside linebacker available in free agency this offseason. "McPhee is a disruptive presence and a versatile defender able to play defensive end or linebacker," Miller wrote. "He’s the type of player who will never come off the field and can make plays against any offensive scheme."
Cons
While his versatility is a plus, it can also be viewed as a negative. McPhee was never able to hold down one spot in Baltimore, and he started just six games in four seasons.
According to NFL sources, via Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, McPhee is likely to command an annual salary between $8 million and $10 million on the open market.
Final Verdict
If the Bears are looking to find someone who can excel in Fangio's 3-4 defense, McPhee may have the most potential. Pro Football Focus believes he needs to be with a creative defensive coordinator. "Will need a creative coordinator to get the best out of him, but his ability to win from various techniques is invaluable," Pro Football Focus wrote about McPhee.
Despite the questions surrounding McPhee's production and limited snaps, he is the type of player who could excel playing for a creative defensive coordinator like Fangio. He may end up costing more than the Bears would initially like to spend, but it is rare for a 26-year-old with McPhee's upside to hit the open market.
FS Devin McCourty
5 of 5
Pros
There is little doubt that New England's Devin McCourty will be the best available safety if he hits the open market next week.
The Patriots opted to place the franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski instead of McCourty, and the six-year safety will likely be in for a big payday after a stellar 2014 season.
Pro Football Focus listed McCourty as the eighth-best safety last season with a plus-11.6 grade, and he finished the season with 68 tackles, one forced fumble and two interceptions. In five seasons he has registered 388 tackles, one sack, 58 pass deflections, 17 interceptions and seven forced fumbles.
NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling listed McCourty as their second-best free agent behind Suh.
"The converted cornerback is not only one of the NFL's best coverage safeties, but also a respected leader on the Super Bowl champions' defense," Rosenthal and Wesseling wrote. "McCourty, 27, considers New England home and wants to stay, but he will be in high demand if he hits free agency. The Patriots riskily chose not to tag him."
McCourty's game is similar to Seattle's Earl Thomas. He does not possess the big-hit ability that Thomas does, but both are rangy and instinctive players who can man the back half of the field as a single-high safety. His range and speed at free safety allow the strong safety more freedom to freelance near the line of scrimmage versus the run.
Cons
While watching the tape, it is hard to find many flaws in McCourty's game.
He does struggle at times when asked to play up against the run, but he is at his best when asked to man center field.
One con to signing McCourty is his services will likely come at a high price. The New Orleans Saints signed free safety Jairus Byrd to a six-year, $54 million deal last offseason, and one NFC pro personnel director thinks McCourty is better than Byrd.
"McCourty is much better than Byrd," an NFC pro personnel director told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. "Hard to pay a safety that much, but this guy has corner skills in coverage, which is a better fit for today's passing game."
McCourty will likely be looking for a deal worth more than $10 million per year.
Final Verdict
The Bears have had a need at the free safety position for nearly a decade, and signing McCourty would help solidify the position for the foreseeable future.
He fills a need, has range and athleticism and has been a model citizen throughout his time in New England. He is also a Super Bowl champion and two-time All-Pro and would immediately be considered a leader in Chicago's locker room.
Statistical information courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise noted.
Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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