Chicago Bears Free Agency Speculation: Power Ranking Best FAs Who Fill a Need

Free agency in the NFL is a term that is difficult to define right now, and that isn't just because of the lockout making us all wonder if there will even be a season in 2011.

In 2010, teams operated without a salary cap and under different rules than in years past.

The biggest difference in the 2010 free agency rules was that a player couldn't become an unrestricted free agent until after his sixth year in the league. In previous years when the league operated under a salary cap, players only had to wait four years to become unrestricted. 

Will the new CBA, once signed, sealed and delivered, revert back to the pre-2010 rules? If so, there will be many players who suddenly find themselves as unrestricted free agents.

There is no option for the player's previous team to match an offer given to an unrestricted free agent, and there is no compensation awarded to them. 

For the purposes of this article, I will include all free agents without regard to status. Let's take a look and see who may be available to the Bears and rank the best ones that fill a need for the team.

However, I will exclude any player franchised or where there is no doubt he is re-signing with his current team.

16. Takeo Spikes, ILB, 49ers

Julian Finney/Getty Images

HERTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Takeo Spikes of the San Francisco 49ers talks to the media outside The Grove Hotel on October 27, 2010 in Hertford, England. The San Francisco 49ers will meet the Denver Broncos in the NFL International Series regular-seas

The Bears do need linebackers, as they currently have only Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs under contract. But an inside linebacker like Spikes should be a much lower priority for the Bears.

Spikes had a really solid year for the 49ers. However, he turned 34 in December, so there could be a huge dropoff sometime soon.

Despite that, perhaps he could be signed for a less expensive contract and the Bears could take a one year flier on him.

This is probably not even on the Bears radar, but would be an interesting stop-gap, short-term solution.

15. Pisa Tinoisamoa, OLB, Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Pisa Tinoisamoa #59 of the Chicago Bears smiles after teammate Chris Harris intercepted a pass in the final minutes against the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jet

Yes, the Bears have some of their own free agents they need to re-sign and while Pisa may not be at the top of that list, they need linebacker depth so they probably will go ahead and bring him back if the price is right.

I've got a couple of other free agent linebackers I'm ranking ahead of Pisa, however, because we've seen his best and it isn't great. Plus, he's 30 and the others are younger.

Meanwhile, Tinoisamoa missed some time with a knee scope, but otherwise had a pretty solid year as Chicago's two-down strongside linebacker.

14. James Anderson, OLB, Panthers

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: James Anderson #50 of the Carolina Panthers in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

As you can see, I rank wide receiver and offensive line ahead of linebacker in the grand scheme of things when it comes to free agents. But this guy is pretty good.

Anderson had a very good year at strongside linebacker, recording 130 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

And he's only 27.

13. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Jets

Al Bello/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass over Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cornerback is a position that the Bears could use some help, although it ranks a bit lower than some other positions. But since they only have one true, legitimate corner in Charles Tillman, Cromartie would be a welcome addition.

Antonio Cromartie has his ups and downs, but overall is a decent, play-making No. 2 cornerback. Just what the Bears need. And he's only 27.

But there's other free agent corners I like slightly better.

12. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

Asomugha would be ranked a lot higher if I thought the Bears had a chance of signing him. But he will cost so much money and be in such high demand that it is very unlikely to happen.

Plus, even if the Bears could get a shutdown corner like Asomugha it would leave no money for any other moves. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have him, but we need other help.

Meanwhile, I'm sure you already know that Asomugha is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Every team in the league will be interested in signing him this offseason.

But Raiders FC  John Doublin wrote that "Most 'experts' think he will be offered between $15 million and $16 million by most teams." That's a bit rich for the Bears blood.

11. Manny Lawson, OLB, 49ers

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Manny Lawson #99 of San Francisco 49ers celebrates as he sacks Kyle Orton #8 of Denver Broncos during the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 31, 2010 i

Manny Lawson isn't a great pass-rusher, but he does many other things extremely well.

Hopefully, he would see that moving to a team with a 4-3 defense would be ideal for the former first-rounder and take less money to sign with the Bears. OK, not likely but one can always hope.

Lawson is not likely to be a target for Chicago.

10. Danieal Manning, SS, Bears

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Danieal Manning #38 of the Chicago Bears with the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Call me a sucker, but I've grown to like Manning and I want him back. He's a good kick returner and although the new rules makes that a bit less important, he averaged 24.7 yards on his kickoff returns this year.

Manning also played a solid strong safety for the Bears throughout most of last season.

9. Chris Carr, CB, Ravens

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Cornerback Chris Carr #25 of the Baltimore Ravens recovers a fumble by the Kansas City Chiefs during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vi

The 29 year old Carr would be a good addition to a Bears team that has Charles Tillman and no other starters at the cornerback position. They have guys, but none of them excite me, though they have their moments.

Meanwhile, Chris Carr unexpectedly emerged as Baltimore's top cornerback last season. Not so coincidentally, it will earn him a shiny new contract.

8. Marshal Yanda, OT/G, Ravens

Handout/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL , Marshal Yanda of the Baltimore Ravens poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. ( Photo by NFL via Getty Images)

The thing I like most about Yanda is his versatility. Not known as a good tackle, he played well after Jared Gaither was lost for the season.

Yanda performed admirably considering he played out of position. Yanda is a hard-working coachable player, and he plays with attitude. He moves very well, and he will only be 27 when the season is supposed to start.

But that same versatility that makes me like him will also be desirable on the open market, especially if he's an unrestricted free agent. Yanda had a decent 2010, surrendering only four sacks.

He's capable of playing both right tackle and guard. But if the 2010 rules are still in affect, then Yanda, who is entering his fifth season, likely won't go anywhere. 

7. Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Wide receiver Malcom Floyd #80 of the San Diego Chargers makes a one-handed 41-yard reception for a first down against cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on Jan

I don't know if Jerry Angelo agrees, but I feel the Bears desperately need a big physical wideout. And Floyd, with his 6'5" frame, fits the bill.

Meanwhile, Floyd caught 37 balls for 717 yards and six touchdowns in 2010, giving him a terrific 19.4 yards-per-catch average.

However, he battled through injuries in the second half of the year and consequently did nothing when Vincent Jackson returned to the lineup.

6. Doug Free, OT, Cowboys

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Tackle Doug Free #68 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Free is certainly not going to be free, as he stands to earn big money as a free agent. He would be ranked higher but I expect him to re-sign with the 'Boys.

Free played exceptionally well in his first year as Dallas' left tackle. Dallas gave him the highest tender offer possible, so a team signing him would have to give up a first and third round pick.

It isn't going to happen, but wouldn't he look good protecting Jay Cutler's blind side while Gabe Carimi goes to right tackle?

5. Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates after he scored a third quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

Again, I would love Holmes but he will probably re-sign with the Jets. Look, if the Jets have to choose between him and Braylon Edwards, it's really no contest.

Meanwhile, receivers who switch teams tend to struggle, so his performance was especially solid.

Holmes caught 52 balls for 746 yards and six touchdowns in only 11 games. He has a knack for making big catches in important games. 

You have a QB with a big arm, why not give him the weapons he needs to be successful?

4. Olin Kreutz, C, Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Olin Kreutz #57 of the Chicago Bears looks on late in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Now, normally I wouldn't rank Kreutz this high but it's based on need, and since the Bears didn't draft a center, they need to re-sign this guy for one more season.

There aren't many decent free agent alternatives out there. Ryan Kalil signed the franchise tag with the Panthers. And teams that have centers value them and will likely keep them.

Plus, if the Bears overspend on a center, assuming one is available, it wouldn't make sense as they might as well re-sign their own. That's why he ranks so high on this list.

Now, it's not saying much, but Olin Kreutz was our best pass-protector in 2010. He's a declining player at this stage of his career, and is not the player these other free agents are, but they need him.  

3. Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

I wrote an article about why I felt the Bears need to sign Rice. While they likely will not listen to me, they need a wideout. I repeat: they need a wideout.

Look, you spent a ton to get Cutler, why wouldn't you surround him with the best talent money can buy?

Meanwhile, Rice is one of the league's top young receivers. He caught 83 balls for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns in 2010. He's only had one great year, but then again he's also only 25. 

The only position I rate higher on the "needs" list is offensive line.

Come on, Jerry, go get this guy.

2. Harvey Dahl, G, Falcons

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Harvey Dahl #73 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty I

Granted, the Falcons really want to re-sign Dahl. But Tyson Clabo is also a free agent as is guard Justin Blalock (lower priority to Dahl), so they have a lot of work to do.

Additionally, Carl Nicks will be re-signed by the Saints. So this leaves Dahl and Angelo may have enough time to swoop in and grab Dahl while Atlanta is figuring out which player to sign first. Then, they can end the Chris Williams experiment.

Dahl is one nasty man. You add this guy and Carimi to the line and Cutler would have reason to smile. I'd still like a receiver, too, but perhaps Mick Jagger sang it right.

You can't always get what you want.

Meanwhile, Dahl will not come cheaply, but then again, neither did Cutler. It's money well spent.

1. Tyson Clabo, OT, Falcons

Handout/Getty Images

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Tyson Clabo of the Atlanta Falcons poses for his NFL headshot circa 2010 at the Falcons Football Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)

As previously mentioned, the Falcons have a few free agents on their offensive line, so if the Bears act quickly, they can grab one of them while Atlanta is deciding what to do.

Well, if Clabo is that guy, what an addition he would be. I'm sure the Bears won't do this, but imagine a line with Clabo and Carimi as your tackles.

The 29 year old Pro Bowler is better protecting the pass, which should fit in well with the Mike Martz offense.

The Falcons could slide Garrett Reynolds or Jose Valdez into Clabo's spot at right tackle. In fact, www.rotoworld.com stated that "of the Falcons' three free agent offensive linemen, RT Tyson Clabo is considered the most likely to depart."

Well, Chicago Bears will gladly take you.

The O-line is the Bears top priority and it seems that Clabo is the best player who is reasonably going to be available. That combination is why he's ranked as number one on my list.