Chicago Bears: 4 Free-Agency, Draft Targets the Bears Must Chase for 2013

The Chicago Bears clearly need an upgrade of talent in two areas on their offense: tight end and offensive line.

Kellen Davis has had a terrible season and the Bears have gotten little to no production from any of the tight ends in their offense.

Overall, the offensive line has also looked bad and is still giving up sacks and pressures, something Jay Cutler may not be able to withstand much longer.

These two positions are areas the Bears need to upgrade at in the draft and in free agency, and here are some potential targets. 

Free Agent: Andy Levitre, OG

Andy Levitre is a solid guard whose contract with the Buffalo Bills runs out at the end of this season.

Levitre would be a major upgrade at guard for the Chicago Bears, and could play opposite of Lance Louis on the line.

The young guard has started every game in his career and has been nothing but consistent for the Bills so far.

Buffalo would have a hard time letting a solid interior linemen like this go, but after spending a fortune on Mario Williams in last season's free-agency period, the Bills may not have the cap space to keep Levitre.

Levitre wouldn't cost the Bears nearly as much as a top end tackle like Ryan Clady or Jake Long, and he still provides more consistency than anyone else on their offensive line. 

Free Agent: Jared Cook, TE

The Chicago Bears need a tight end that can be a major part of the offense, and someone defenses will have to game-plan against.

Jared Cook could be the guy the Bears are looking for. 

This season, Cook has 44 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns in an offense that has lacked consistent quarterback play and a team that has been just awful.

There is no doubt in my mind that Cook wants out of Tennessee, and while his price tag may run a bit high in a free-agent class lacking any real tight end talent, the Bears should still be able to afford Cook.

He would be a solid second option for Jay Cutler in the Bears offense and could help take some pressure off the team's receivers in the passing game.

Draft Target: Brian Winters, OG

The NFL draft is the best way to upgrade talent at any position and get the most value out of a player.

The Chicago Bears' best bet at upgrading their offensive line is through the draft, and Brian Winters is a prospect they should definitely take a look at.

Winters is a guard currently playing for Kent State who projects to be a second or third-round pick in this years draft.

He has a good blend of height and speed and should be a very good run-blocker in the pros.

The guard hasn't missed a game in college and as his pass blocking develops, so will his overall offensive-line play.

Winters could be a sleeper in this year's draft because of the high amount of quality prospects coming out, and could easily fall to the Bears in the second or third round.

Draft Target: Zach Ertz, TE

The top prospect the Chicago Bears should be scouting at this point is Stanford tight end Zach Ertz.

Ertz has had excellent production at the college level and could turn into a top-tier tight end in the NFL someday.

If Ertz enters this year's draft, he should be a late first-round pick and land right where the Bears are.

The young tight end is known for his great separation skills in the passing game and could fit in the Bears' offense the same way Jared Cook could.

Ertz would be the cheaper short-term option, and while he may take more time to develop, he appears to have a higher ceiling than the talented Cook. 

Both players would add an element to the passing game that the Bears currently lack and are the types of weapons the Bears need if they hope to become a top NFL offense down the road.