NFL Free Agents 2012: 10 Untagged Players Chicago Bears Must Consider

When the franchise tag deadline passed Monday afternoon, there were suddenly 21 fewer unrestricted free agents left for the Bears to consider. But that certainly doesn't mean there aren't some good choices remaining.

While players who would seemingly have been a good fit for the Bears, such as DE Cliff Avril and WR Dwayne Bowe are off the market, there are still plenty of unrestricted free agents, and the Bears need to sign at least one of them.

Sure, the draft will be critical toward building both the present and the future for Chicago. But there's nothing like a veteran free agent to help a team that wants to win now.

Yet that's exactly what the Bears should be gunning for in 2012: a win-it-all mentality while core defensive players like Brian Urlacher are in their last couple of solid seasons for the team.

With the core group of stars aged 30 and over, such as the aforementioned Urlacher, Julius Peppers, Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman, and a QB in his prime, there's no time like the present for the Bears to make a run.

It won't be easy, as the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions would appear to be the favorites to win the division at this point. But another star or two would certainly help.

Coincidentally, I just happen to have listed 10 unrestricted free agents that I feel the Bears must strongly evaluate and be ready to knock on at least one of their doors when free agency officially starts.  

Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers

Somewhat surprisingly, the Chargers did not tag Jackson this time and will let the veteran receiver test the free agent market. The Bears need to be among the teams who show strong and immediate interest.

Competition for his services will be strong despite what will be a big price tag. In fact, San Diego still wants to bring him back, but the Bears have such a huge need for a true No. 1 wideout. That seems like fate to me.

By signing Jackson, not only do the Bears provide Jay Cutler with a capable receiver, they can also then use their first round draft choice on a position like cornerback or defensive end and wait to pick a WR until the second or third round.

The Chargers were one of just 11 teams not to use their franchise tag, which leaves Jackson as the top wideout on the market. In addition to Chicago, the Redskins, Panthers, 49ers, Vikings, Seahawks and Bills are all expected to express serious interest in Jackson.

The 29-year-old two-time Pro Bowl selection caught 60 passes for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns last season — his third 1,000-yard campaign in the last four years.

Go get him, Emery.  

Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints

Colston is one of several high profile players who are free agents. They obviously must pay QB Drew Brees, who they have tagged, and they'll also have to deal with resigning wideout Robert Meachem.

Add offensive guard Carl Nicks to the mix and it seems improbable that New Orleans can keep everyone. So, naturally, if V-Jax chooses to go elsewhere, Colston becomes a candidate for the Bears.

The 29 year-old Colston has terrific numbers, though some believe he is more of a product of the system he is in. The other concern is that he just wants to go where the most money is, so he could end up like Sidney Rice, whom the Seahawks would probably like to get some amnesty from if they could.

That said, he would certainly be a huge upgrade for Chicago's receiver corps. Meanwhile, at least according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it appears Colston will be leaving the Saints, so opportunity is knocking.

Colston caught 80 passes in 2011 for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns. He has reached the 1,000 yard mark in five of his six seasons in the NFL, all spent with Brees throwing him the football.

Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans Saints

If the Saints come marching into Soldier Field next season, hopefully it will be a former Saint that is wearing the blue and orange of the Bears.  

While Meachem is clearly a lesser choice than the first two receivers I've listed, he would still be any improvement over anything they currently have.

His number pale in comparison to Colston, but some actually believe he would thrive as a No. 1 or at least a No. 2 in another system where he is featured more.

In 2011, Meachem had 40 receptions for 640 yards, a 15.5 average, and six touchdowns. He is a bit younger, at age 27, than the first two and still has good size at 6'2".

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts

While somewhat long in the tooth at age 33, Wayne is still a very productive wideout. Unless he offers himself up as a package deal with Peyton Manning as some are suggesting, Wayne could very well be on the Bears radar.

Wayne didn't quite reach 1,000 yards in 2011 without Peyton Manning throwing him the ball, but he still had a very productive season.

Wayne caught 75 balls for 960 yards and four touchdowns. At 6'0", he is a little shorter than the other receivers on this list, but that shouldn't be a major issue.

2011 ended a string of seven consecutive seasons with more than one thousand yards receiving for Wayne.

On a shorter contract, I'd take Wayne for the Bears, although I would prefer Jackson.

Demetrius Bell, LT, Buffalo Bills

In terms of sacks allowed and penalties, current Bears left tackle J'Marcus Webb was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Although just 23, he didn't show improvement as the season wore on, so an upgrade at the position would be welcome.

Unfortunately, I just don't see the Bears doing anything here. Lovie Smith seems content with Webb and while Bell isn't a world beater, he would be an immediate upgrade protecting Cutler's blind side.

If I were running the Bears, Bell would be a target. Meanwhile, rookie Chris Hairston held his own when subbing for Bell in Buffalo last year, so the Bills could choose to let Bell walk.

Bell was a 7th round pick from Northwestern State in 2008, he has started 30 games for the Bills over the last four seasons.

In four starts prior to getting injured last season, Bell had no sacks given up and had an overall pass blocking efficiency rating of 98% which was good for best in the league.

He seems to truly want to return to Buffalo, so the Bears would have to pony up the cash if they want him. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening.

Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans

Mario Williams has become expendable for the Houston Texans and they won't be able to afford to re-sign him once he hits the free agent market.

Williams is one of the best pass rushing defensive ends to hit the free agent market in 2012. Whoever signs him will get one of the best in the NFL while he is at his prime.

There will be competition for his services, including from the Dallas Cowboys. The reason that the Texans didn't franchise Williams is it would have cost them around $22 million.

Meanwhile, he just turned 27 and is coming off a year when he had five sacks in five games. He has recorded double digit sack totals twice (14, 12) out of his six seasons played.

With Cliff Avril off the market, "Super Mario" would make a nice compliment to Julius Peppers. It won't happen, most likely, but a fan can dream, right?

Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee Titans

Finnegan, a seventh round pick in 2006, and his agent have made it clear he wants to be one of the highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL. That would equate to an annual salary of over $10 million per year.

Instead of Finnegan, the Titans elected to place the franchise tag on safety Michael Griffin. While the Titans feel he’s a very good and versatile defensive back, they don't see him as a shut-down corner capable of single-handedly stopping a team's top receiver every week.

But with the Bears, Finnegan could pair with Tillman to have what would be perhaps the top corner duo in the league.

However, as opposed to signing a guy like Finnegan, I expect the Bears to draft a corner while re-signing one of their own free agents, like Tim Jennings for example.

Brandon Carr, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Well, the Bears won't be getting the Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, so perhaps GM Phil Emery will look to his former organization for another player to help fill one of the club's needs.

While he has been linked to the Cowboys, Carr would look good patrolling the end of the field opposite Tillman for the Bears. But, like Finnegan, he won't come cheap.

Carr is a good player in a weak market for corners. Whether he's a legitimate No. 1 corner is uncertain, but he will definately be paid like one.

Jared Gaither, LT, San Diego Chargers

Jared Gaither was a pleasant surprise for the Chargers after they claimed him off waivers from the Chiefs last season and San Diego seems interested in keeping him around.

He's not great but, like Bell, will be an upgrade over what we currently have. He's not as young or athletic as Bell, but I would take him over Webb.

Again, as I have mentioned before, a left tackle does not seem to be a priority for the Bears this off-season.

John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons

I'm certainly not foaming at the mouth to get Abraham, who is 33. But he could be a good one-year signing for the Bears if they can line up him up opposite Julius Peppers at end.

Israel Idonije is a free agent, and had a down year in 2011. The Bears could use a more consistent pass rush from an end other than Peppers, so Abraham would be a welcome addition on a short contract.

Abraham is reportedly seeking $12 million for his services. In Atlanta he played with his hand down on the ground, so he is better suited for a 4-3 defense like the Bears, although he has been good in coverage

In the last two seasons, he has registered 119 total QB pressures. Last season alone, he had 11 sacks, 8 QB hits and 40 pressures. This is a guy who wreaks havoc in the backfield.

No QB would be safe with Peppers and Abraham teaming up.