The Chicago Bears have the 7th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft this year. They finished 5-11 (.529) last season.

OFFSEASON TRANSACTIONS

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
• QB Jimmy Clausen: Potential UFA; $1.125M/1 yr, $262,500 SB.
• CB Demontre Hurst: Potential ERFA; $1.1M/2 yrs.
• LB DeDe Lattimore: Potential ERFA; terms unknown.
• CB Al Louis-Jean: Potential ERFA; $1.1M/2 yrs.
• CB Sherrick McManis: UFA; $825,000/1 yr, $80SB/$330,000 guaranteed.
• TE Dante Rosario: UFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED
• OLB Sam Acho: UFA Cardinals; $825,000/1 yr, $80,000 SB.
• CB Alan Ball: UFA Jaguars; 1 yr, terms unknown.
• G Vladimir Ducasse: UFA Vikings; $825,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB/$40,000 WO.
• LB Mason Foster: UFA Buccaneers; $825,000/1 yr, $80,000 SB.
• LS Thomas Gafford: UFA Chiefs; 1 yr, terms unknown.
• DE Jarvis Jenkins: UFA Redskins; 1 yr, terms unknown.
• DE Ray McDonald: FA: $1.05M/1 yr, $50,000 RB/$30,000 WO.
• C Will Montgomery: UFA Broncos; $950,000/1 yr, $80,000 SB/$200,000 guaranteed.
• OLB Pernell McPhee: UFA Ravens; $38.75M/5 yrs, $2.5M SB/$15.5M guaranteed.
• RB Jacquizz Rodgers: UFA Falcons; $785,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.
• S Antrel Rolle: UFA Chargers; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
• WR Eddie Royal: UFA Chargers; $10M/3 yrs, $4M RB 2015/$6M guaranteed.

PLAYERS LOST
• S Chris Conte: UFA Buccaneers; $1.5M/1 yr, $250,000 SB/$1.25M guaranteed.
• C Roberto Garza (released).
• WR Brandon Marshall (traded Jets).
• DT Stephen Paea: UFA Redskins; $21M/4 yrs, $5M SB/$7.85M guaranteed.
• CB Charles Tillman: UFA Panthers; $1.75M./1 yr, $350,000 SB/$150,000 WO.
• S Anthony Walters (released).

The top needs for the Bears are pass rusher, line backer, defensive back, and wide receiver. The top-rated prospects for those needs are:

Pass Rusher
Lenoard Williams (USC)
Shane Ray (Missouri)
Dante Fowler, Jr. (Florida)

LB
Dante Fowler, Jr. (Florida)
Randy Gregory (Nebraska)
Vic Beasley (Clemson)

CB
Marcus Peters (Washington)
Trae Waynes (Michigan State)
Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest)

S
Landon Collins (Alabama)
Gerod Holliman (Louisville)
Derron Smith (Fresno State)

WR
Amari Cooper (Alabama)
Kevin White (West Virginia)

Clemson’s Vic Beasley or Missouri’s Shane Ray would certainly fit as a rush OLB. The Bears have failed to fill their safety need over the past decade; Alabama’s Landon Collins is at the top of the list for safety. If they draft a receiver, which is also needed to replace traded Brandon Marshall, they could go with Alabama’s Amari Cooper or West Virginia’s Kevin White. Off-season free agency seemed to help out the Bears on the defensive end so I think they should draft a wide receiver in the first round.

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