Top free agents Chicago Bears should target after NFL Combine
Cornerbacks
As mentioned, the Bears need to decide whether they re-sign Callahan. Considering what Pace did in 2018 by re-signing Fuller and Amukamara, I think he’ll do the same with Callahan, given a good price. Callahan is coming off a broken foot, so that may keep the price low, helping the Bears.
If they don’t bring him back, though, here are some candidates to bring in:
Pierre Desir — Desir is familiar with new Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. Pagano had him when he was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. That could give the Bears an inside track.
Desir had a breakout 2018 season. He recorded 79 tackles, had an interception and forced two fumbles. He has good size at 6-1, 200 pounds. Also, he gives the Bears some flexibility by being able to play any side of the secondary as well as the slot. He came from a small school and had to work hard and do whatever he needed to do to make a team and that experience comes in handy now.
E.J. Gaines — Gaines had a pretty good 2017 season. He recorded 59 tackles, one interception, nine passes defended and three forced fumbles. He became a free agent, but only received a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. In 2018, he suffered multiple concussions and played in only six games.
Gaines could come to Chicago on a one-year prove it deal to show he’s over the concussions. They also have Kevin Toliver, so there is good depth with four quality corners at the position. Gaines could also add flexibility since he’s played every corner slot as well as linebacker. If he is over his concussions, he could be a steal for the Chicago Bears.
Justin Coleman — Signing Coleman could be a boom for the Bears. He’s played very well for the Seattle Seahawks the last two seasons, piling up 90 tackles, 19 passes defended, three interceptions, three touchdowns and two sacks. Playing the slot with Fuller and Amukamara makes the Bears’ secondary one of the toughest in the league.
Things got interesting recently, though, when the Baltimore Ravens signed Tavon Young to a three-year, $25.8 million deal. That made Young the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL. Would the Bears want to go somewhere in that territory for Coleman?
An advantage for him is his health. He hasn’t missed any games the last two seasons while Callahan hasn’t played a full season in his four seasons. His 13 games played in 2018 was a career-high and he missed the last three games and the playoff game because of a broken foot. Add the fact that Coleman is two years younger (25 to Callahan’s 27) and, if the Bears do make a move, he’d be a great fit.