Ranking the Positions of Need, Part 1

PhilEmeryConfusedIf you missed it, I explained my absence in this earlier post. One of the casualties of that absence was the ongoing, position-by-position Offseason Review, which I’d still like to pick up post-draft. A goal of that series was to explore where the Bears are weakest, which will likely correlate strongly with the draft strategy Phil Emery and the rest of the front office elect to pursue.

To be clear, I’m not a proponent of a strict “draft for need” doctrine; teams should always consider the best player available, regardless of position. That’s almost always the path to maximizing draft value. But with the Bears picking in the middle of the first round, it’s likely that they’ll have a group of players available on their draft board with similar grades; at that point, positional need should be strongly considered as a tiebreaker, especially with a team primed to contend this season.

Of course, this list is also for future consideration as well. Cornerback, for example, is not a position I’d consider “weak” for the 2014 season, but going forward the Bears will obviously need to address the spot, since Charles Tillman isn’t getting any younger. (Which is obviously unfortunate, as not only would that be a scientific breakthrough with widespread cultural ramifications, it would also mean at least another decade of awesomely forced fumbles.)

With those inherently subjective criteria in mind, let’s take a quick run through. As always, feel free to disagree with me in the comments.

15. Kicker

With Robbie Gould signing a new four-year deal this offseason, and the position being one in which age is increasingly less of a factor (to which the chart at the bottom of that fascinating Big Lead piece attests), the Bears shouldn’t need to think about a new placekicker for a long time.

14. Quarterback

Pretty crazy that this would rank so low for the Bears, right? Whatever you think of Jay Cutler’s new contract, it’s obvious that the Bears consider the position filled for at least the next few seasons. Losing Josh McCown hurts positional depth, and leaves Jordan Palmer as an untested backup, but the nature of the position means that you don’t want your backups to play. Having a high-priced second-string quarterback is a luxury, and as Adam Hoge noted in this great piece, the idea that a draft pick should be used on a developmental quarterback has traditionally been folly. As Adam writes, Phil Emery agrees with that viewpoint, and I’d be stunned if the Bears took a quarterback this week.

13. Fullback

Tony Fiametta received a two-year contract this offseason. Considering the part-time nature of the position, it’s hard to be more set than that.

12. Offensive Guard

Matt Slauson and Kyle Long were both very good last year, and they’re 28 and 25, respectively. Eben Britton can play guard, and in theory some combination of Roberto Garza or new signing Brian de la Puente could provide cover there as well.

11. Center

I think center is more of a need than guard despite the fact that the Bears have two players (the aforementioned Garza and de la Puente) who, in theory, are capable of being starters at the position. But Garza is 35, and he’s only signed through this season; de la Puente is younger (he’ll play this season at age 29) but he’s also only signed for one year. The Bears will have to address the position at some point, I’m just not sure it will be this weekend, as there are more immediate needs elsewhere.

10. Tight End

Martellus Bennett was really good in his first year, and the Bears signed blocking tight end Matthew Mulligan from New England earlier in the offseason. They also still have Dante Rosario and Fendi Onobun on the roster, and I’d be surprised if they spent big resources on adding to the position.

9. Running Back

Matt Forte is in many ways the engine of the offense; his dual-threat abilities open up the entire playbook for Marc Trestman. Any pick the Bears spend would be second on the depth chart for the next few seasons. But running backs do get hurt, and often; it’s also a position where teams can find good value late in the draft. Michael Ford doesn’t seem like a lock as Forte’s backup, either; he’s never had a regular season carry. Offseason addition Shaun Draughn is the only other back on the roster, and he’s never been more than a bit player.

8. Wide Receiver

This one could probably be moved farther back without any objection, as the Bears probably have the best duo of receivers in the league with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. But the release of Earl Bennett opens up a slot, literally, for a third receiver, and that’s a big part of the Chicago offense. Marquess Wilson seems talented, and I’m sure the Bears would love for him to win the job; they also signed former CFL player Chris Williams to compete for a role. (Oh, and veteran Josh Morgan, who was promptly arrested.) Marshall is also entering the last year of his contract, and though I’d bet highly on an extension at some point, it’s not a certainty. Eric Weems and Domenik Hixon are also capable of handling spot duties if necessary. Again, this is a subjective ranking. You could probably make a case for this being the deepest position. I’d just like to see a third starter emerge from the group, as well as see Marshall’s contract situation settled, before making that declaration.

That’s all for part 1; tomorrow, we get defensively-intensive. (Similar to how I expect the Bears drafting to play out.)

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Bulls vs. Nets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Brooklyn Nets (28-45) face the Chicago Bulls (35-38) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Barclays Center. It tips at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.Last time out, the Bulls won on Wednesday 125-99 over the Pacers. The Nets are coming...

How to Watch Knicks vs. Spurs: Live Stream or on TV

The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to build on a three-game winning run when visiting the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. It airs at 8:00 PM ET on BSSW.In their most recent...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) go up against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.The Cavaliers dropped their last outing 118-111 against the Hornets on Wednesday. The...

Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Houston Astros will take the field against the New York Yankees (1-0) on Friday. The game begins at 8:10 PM ET on Apple TV+, with the Astros listed as -121 favorites on the moneyline.Houston's Cristian Javier and New York's...

Kawhi Leonard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, and if the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard drains two 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Kawhi Leonard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicKawhi Leonard's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Miles Bridges Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Warriors – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Charlotte Hornets face the Golden State Warriors at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires two treys from Miles Bridges.Miles Bridges' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the WarriorsMiles Bridges' over/under for...

Deni Avdija Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pistons – Friday, March 29, 2024

At 7:00 PM ET on Friday, it'll be the Washington Wizards versus the Detroit Pistons, with Deni Avdija needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Deni Avdija's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsDeni Avdija's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – Friday, March 29, 2024

Will James Harden make three 3-pointers when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.James Harden's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicJames Harden's over/under for...

Jordan Poole Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pistons – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Washington Wizards meet the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires three trifectas from Jordan Poole.Jordan Poole's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsJordan Poole's over/under for three-pointers...

Kelly Oubre Jr. Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Friday, March 29, 2024

On Friday at 7:30 PM ET, the Philadelphia 76ers play the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 3-pointer prop for this clash requires two trifectas.Kelly Oubre Jr.'s Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CavaliersKelly Oubre Jr.'s over/under for three-pointers in this...

more bears news