Chicago Bears Primary Target Revealed Following Jackson Trade

The first big move by the Chicago Bears came earlier than expected. More than a week before the start of free agency, they swung a deal with the Los Angeles Rams for guard Jonah Jackson. The former Pro Bowler never found his footing with them due to a mix of injuries and an untimely ascent by an unheralded rookie. Rather than try to find a way to squeeze him in somewhere, the Rams opted to give him a fresh start elsewhere. Jackson reunites with Ben Johnson, whom he played under for three years in Detroit.

That should settle one of their key roster concerns. The big question now is which direction the Bears take. Free agency is almost here, and they still have plenty of cap space to spend. One has to imagine GM Ryan Poles will take at least one more swing to upgrade the roster before shifting focus to the draft. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was asked about this, and he had a name ready.

I believe the free-agency plan probably starts with Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. It’s a position the Bears have had difficulty filling, and the center crop in the draft is pretty thin. Dalman is smart — he played at Stanford — and has good tape. It’s unlikely he would be a free agent if the Falcons weren’t one of the few teams pressed against the salary cap.

Center feels like a key focus for the Chicago Bears.

That isn't a surprise. Johnson mentioned that having a reliable veteran center can often be crucial to the development of a young quarterback. That was a signal the Chicago Bears would likely be active in the market for one. Most agree Drew Dalman is the best option available. His run-blocking grade was the sixth-best among centers last season. The primary concern many had with him was his inconsistent pass protection. It appears he took a notable step forward, allowing just 10 pressures in 259 snaps last season. Adding him would give the Bears a dependable fixture in the middle, allowing Poles to pretty much go any direction he wants with the 10th overall pick in the draft.

Whether the Bears can lure Dalman to Chicago is the big question. Many teams have needs on the offensive line, and many have money to spend. It will take a concerted push to land him. Poles has a history of being careful about overspending. If Dalman ends up going elsewhere, it could create a hiccup in the team's plans.