13 2012 NFL Free Agents the Chicago Bears Must Pursue

Ladies and gentlemen, it is never too early to begin discussing who the Bears should target once free agency opens in 2012.  The season is over for Chicago.  Changes in management are taking place.  So let's take a look at some of the changes in personnel that Chicago should be considering.

There are several areas of need, and unlike the draft, where the top philosophies all seem to use the best-player-available approach, free agency is a place to pinpoint needs and fill holes.

While the Bears have fewer actual holes than most will give them credit for, there are plenty of places where depth is a concern and even more places where competition would be ideal to advance the development of a young player or move him out of the way.

Offensive tackle is one place the Bears need to consider bringing in a veteran to create competition.  The spot feature two young tackles that really have no competition to push them as the Bear have no true offensive tackles in reserve.

Defensive end is one spot that the Bears should consider a hole.  While Peppers is a monster and might be the best in the game at his position, Israel Idonije just wasn't able to capitalize on the havoc that Peppers and 3-tech Henry Melton  create.  An upgrade should be considered a necessity.

Competition in the secondary is also a necessity, as Charles Tillman ages and the players behind him on the depth chart struggle to take the next step.  The safety spot has some nice young talent, but a veteran in the mix to push their development would be ideal.

And, of course, wide receiver is a serious issue.  One good receiver could change the dynamic of the whole unit.  It's time the Bears stopped screwing around and provide that top-tier receiver.

On with the free agents the Bears should pursue.

Demetrius Bell, OT

Let's be honest...the prospects at left tackle this coming free agency period are limited at best.  

That being said, Bell is a veteran left tackle who is still improving and could either push J'Marcus Webb to be better or take the job from him if he doesn't improve.

Considered the best LT on the upcoming market, Bell should be a top priority for Chicago.

Carl Nicks, LG

Chris Williams showed a ton of improvement last season.  He also showed that he still has injury concerns.

Carl Nicks is easily the best linemen available through free agency at this point.  The Bears should make him unavailable on day one of free agency.  

Bring in Nicks and allow Williams to compete for his tackle position with Webb.  This automatically improves the line at two positions by adding a monster guard and creating competition and quality depth at the tackle spot.

Brent Grimes, CB

Atlanta will almost certainly try to tie Grimes up, but if he slips into free agency, the Bears have to consider gunning for this guy.

He's a solid defender in both man and zone coverages and allowed just a 62.9 quarterback rating and a 44.6 catch percentage in 2011.

His run support is decent and while he isn't the best free agent for defending the run, he isn't a liability, either.

Grimes is the best option available to shore up the Bears' corner position. 

Calais Campbell, DE

Campbell may not be the fastest DE on the market and some would say that the current 3-4 resident isn't a fit in Chicago.  I disagree.

Campbell just gets things done.  He's very good in run support and his pass rush is surprisingly solid.  He's a huge body who makes things happen and the Bears could use another end who can take pressure off of Peppers.

The Bears need help at DE and Campbell would fit the bill.

Jermichael Finley, TE

This one's a long shot.  Finley is very likely to draw a franchise tag from the Pack if they don't get a contract extension worked out.

But if the Bears can pry away such a big target from their archenemy, then they should spare no expense to do so.

Finley is arguably the best receiving tight end in the business.  Stealing him from Green Bay would be sweet music to hear.

Cliff Avril, DE

Again, we're talking about removing an impact player from a division rival.  Oh, and Avril happens to be a perfect fit for the Bears as well.

It's well established that the Bears need someone to take pressure off of Peppers, as well as a young gun to groom as his eventual replacement.

Avril is the best option in the league to accomplish both of those things.  With the way the Lions have jerked him around on an extension, Avril is a good bet to be on the market when the gates open on free agency.  The Bears would be wise to be camped out at the entrance.

Matt Forte, RB

Franchise tag him.  Give him an extension.  Do something.

Matt Forte is a driving force for this offense and if the Bears don't pay him, somebody else will be happy to take him off their hands.

I understand the hesitation to sign a running back coming off a knee injury to a big contract. So tag him and get it over with.  Make this man a Bear again.

Dwayne Bowe, WR

Big.  Strong.  Good hands.  Solid routes.  Physical enough to take on Charles Tillman successfully.

What's not to like?

The Bears need a true No. 1 receiver.  This man is the best fit.  It's really that simple.  If whoever the new GM is can't figure that out, then we hired the wrong guy.

Vincent Jackson, WR

Remember all that stuff I said about the last guy?  Ditto this guy.

Jackson walked all over Chicago earlier this year.  We got a good look at what he can do.  I'd like to see an even closer look...with a "C" on the side of his helmet.

Tyvon Branch, S

Bringing in a safety to compete with our young starting tandem is something the Bears should consider a top priority.

Branch is a solid young safety who would fit nicely in Chicago and might relegate Major Wright to the bench.  Branch is a beast against the run and isn't quite the liability in coverage that Wright is, though he certainly isn't free safety material, either.

Craig Steltz, S

Steltz proved in relief this year that he deserves a chance to fight for a starting position.  

In fact, he not only graded out better than any safety on the team, but he graded out as the 12th best safety in the league out of 86 qualifying safeties, according to Pro Football Focus.

Considering the fact that the Bears know they can't end up with anything less than a solid backup and special teams standout, letting Steltz get away would be madness.

Tim Jennings, CB

In spite of late season stupidity on the part of the coaching staff, Tim Jennings had a good enough run in Chicago to merit a new contract.

Pro Football Focus ranked his play 16th in the league out of 100 qualifying corners in 2010 and 17th or 108 in 2011.  He allowed a 68.8 quarterback rating, a 57.3 completion percentage and is one of 10 corners who played at least 25 percent of their teams snaps and didn't allow a touchdown.  (DJ Moore is another, by the way.)

He's also been solid against the run.  

Jennings is the constant target of fan ire.  Why that is the case is beyond me.

Cortland Finnegan, CB

Many will pan this option, but facts are facts and Finnegan is one of the best all-around corners in the game.

Yes he has an attitude.  Yes, he is considered "dirty."  So?

Who wants opposing wide receivers to like your corner?  If he gets in their heads, then good. The bottom line is that he produces.  And he's done so in a division that has him covering either Andre Johnson or Reggie Wayne in a quarter of his games every year.

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen.  Step up in the soapbox below and let us know what you think of these players or others you have in mind.