Chicago Bears: Third Wave of Free Agents to Target

With the NFL Draft in their rearview mirror, the Chicago Bears now look to round out the roster. There are still good targets available in free agency to go after.

The 2022 NFL Draft is over and done. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles did a good job of turning six picks at the start of the event to 11 when it finished. He also went out and signed a boatload of undrafted rookies to compete for jobs.

There are still holes to fill, of course. There are positions that still need to get filled. Poles can go after available free agents. Poles resisted the urge to pick up free agents who might have cost more than he was willing to pay. He did so after the initial wave of free agency and through the second wave.

We are now in the third wave of free agency and some of the same names that were available earlier now have a lower price attached. Poles can now revisit them and see if the lower price is enough to make a deal.

Here is a list of available free agents who could make an impact on the field at a bargain price.

Daryl Williams, OL

I know that Poles is looking for young players to rebuild. However, he needs some veterans to help the young players. Daryl Williams will be 30 when the season starts. He is still a viable option for Poles and the Bears.

While Poles drafted four offensive linemen, they mainly project as guards. As a result, there is still a need for tackle help. The Bears have Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom but they are inexperienced after a stunted rookie season for both. They could use a veteran tackle to help them.

The Buffalo Bills cut Williams in a cost-saving move. After suffering an injury in 2018 that cost him 15 games, he played in every game since.

Williams doesn’t have to start for the Bears. He could provide valuable help as a backup. He could play guard as well as tackle.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OL

Here is another option for the offensive line. Yes, Poles selected a bunch of linemen but most of them are projects. They’ll be fine in the future but won’t do much in 2022.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif offers the same help as Williams. He could be a mentor to the young linemen while also providing some good help on the line.

Duvernay-Tardif could compete for a starting job at guard. The Bears still don’t have a replacement at right guard after James Daniels departed for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Eric Fisher, OL

I’ve been high on Eric Fisher since the start of free agency. He’d be a good fit with the Bears. Additionally, he has familiarity with Poles when both were with the Kansas City Chiefs. While he was on a different unit with the Indianapolis Colts when new Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was there, they still know each other.

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Fisher would be the perfect blindside protector for quarterback Justin Fields. Fields spent too much of last season running around for his life. If he feels comfortable in the pocket and does not get jittery, he’ll make some big throws.

Fisher would help ease Fields’ feelings on the field.

In addition, Fisher would be one of the best leaders in the Bears’ locker room. He’s always been a great force on and off the field. He’d take these kids and help them improve their game while also helping Fields.

Jarvis Landry, WR

While Poles drafted 11 players, only one of them was a wide receiver. Fields still needs quality targets to throw to. Jarvis Landry would be a great option.

All Landry does is catch footballs. He’d be the most dependable receiver on the roster if he signs with Chicago. With all due respect to Darnell Mooney. Landry is a machine who caught 66 percent of his career targets.

Landry had a down season in 2021 but, to be fair, what Cleveland Browns player didn’t? After the Browns acquired Amari Cooper, Landry became expendable.

Landry runs good routes and has sticky hands. He makes catches under pressure and does a good job of creating separation. He’d be a great complement to Mooney. Mooney is the speed demon who could stretch the field while Landry makes catches underneath. They’d make a good duo and Fields would certainly be happy.

Keelan Cole, WR

Here is another wide receiver for Poles to target. Keelan Cole fits the mold of the player with a chip on his shoulder. He hasn’t provided big numbers during his five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets. However, he feels he hasn’t gotten a real shot.

He could get that shot in Chicago.

Cole is a speedy receiver who can make plays downfield. Despite only having 51 targets and 449 yards in 2021, he did average 16 yards per catch and 8.8 yards per target. He is a big play waiting to happen if he’s in the right offense.

That offense could be with Fields and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Akiem Hicks, DL

Could there be a reunion between the Chicago Bears and Akiem Hicks? While it seemed far-fetched a few weeks ago, he remains unsigned and the price keeps going down.

Recent reports had Poles reaching out to Hicks There might be anything sizzling right now but seeing that the lines of communication are open is a good sign.

Hicks was the heart and soul of the Chicago Bears defense. He got the unit riled up and he made big plays. Veteran players on the defense have urged Poles to re-sign Hicks. Safety Eddie Jackson took to Twitter to beg for Hicks’ return. Apparently, Poles is at least willing to see what can be done.

Hicks will need to accept a smaller number of snaps played if he returns. He suffered from a number of injuries the last few seasons so his body is breaking down. However, he can come in for one more season, help the young defensive players coming in, and end his time in Chicago (and possibly his career) on a great note.