Wide Receiver

This is how bad the Bears wide receiving corps is. No receiver caught more than 37 balls, while Roy Williams led all Bears’ wide receivers in snaps played. Jerry Angelo was known for not valuing the wide receiver position, but he’s been fired so it appears this is the year they’ll finally find Jay Cutler someone to throw to. Receivers like Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, and Alshon Jeffery will be in play at 19.

Guard

At right guard, Chris Spencer was pretty awful. At left guard, Chris Williams was pretty awful until he got hurt. He was replaced with Edwin Williams, who was arguably their best offensive lineman this season, but he seems to be moving to center long term. Meanwhile, Chris Williams is expected to move back to left tackle to compete with J’Marcus Webb. With Edwin Williams moving to center, Roberto Garza is expected to move back to guard, but the soon to be 33 year old is hardly a savior. They need either one or two new guards this offseason.

Offensive Tackle

J’Marcus Webb was awful at left tackle last season, allowing 12 sacks and 30 pressures, while committing 14 penalties. Chris Williams is expected to compete with him for the job in 2012, but I don’t know how much better he’ll be. At right tackle, Gabe Carimi was promising in limited action, but went on IR early in the season. In his absence, Lance Louis and Frank Omiyale were awful. They can’t be allowed to play the position again next season.

Outside Linebacker

Linebacker has been a strength of the Bears for years, but Brian Urlacher will be 34 and coming off a major knee injury next season, while Lance Briggs is 31 year old and still wants a new contract or to be traded to a team that will give him a new contract. They also don’t have a great 3^rd linebacker so I expect them to add a linebacker or two to groom through the draft.

 

Tight End

The Bears had a talented tight end in Greg Olsen, but traded him away because Mike Martz has no idea how to use a tight end. Martz is no longer the offensive coordinator, so they should add a pass catching tight end to the mix. Kellen Davis is a good blocker, but nothing else.

Cornerback

They have 3 cornerbacks who are free agents this offseason, including starter Tim Jennings. Depending on what happens, they could need to add a cornerback or two through the draft or free agency.

Safety

Safety is another position where they have a couple free agents, but they also didn’t have particularly good play there during the season. They have other needs, however, so they may go into next season with Chris Conte and Major Wright as the starters.

Defensive End

Israel Idonije is a decent player, but he can be upgraded. He’s also a 31 year old free agent so it wouldn’t surprise me, if the value fits, to see the Bears take a defensive end and groom him opposite Julius Peppers.

Running Back

Matt Forte is a free agent. Other than Jay Cutler, he’s literally their only good offensive player so he’ll need to be resigned. Even if he is resigned, they need depth after him. Neither Chester Taylor nor Marion Barber have provided that over the last couple years, while Kahlil Bell, who showed good ability down the stretch when Forte was hurt, is a free agent. He could be resigned as a backup or leave for more carries elsewhere. If that happens, a backup for Forte will be needed because Barber won’t cut it (pardon the pun) in 2012.