Latest Bears Free Agent Pursuit Could Drastically Alter Their Draft Board

Step by step the Chicago Bears are making over their roster. It took some time for things to really get going. The mass panic caused by the relative inaction of opening day of free agency, or rather inability to land big names, eventually subsided. GM Ryan Pace has since operated with a steady, calculated efficiency by knocking out needs with second wave players.

• Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper at cornerback.
• John Jenkins at nose tackle.
• Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright at wide receiver.

The idea behind this strategy is simple and straightforward. Use reasonably priced veterans to fill out needs and give the team enough flexibility to draft the best player available. Seems the team isn't done continuing with that process.

The pursuit of Ricky Jean-Francois is hardly surprising. He's a solid 30-year old veteran with a proven track record. He's also got connections to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. That familiarity only enhances his status as a desirable player. However, there is something else about this visit that could have a wider meaning. One that alters the entire scope of the Bears' draft.

SHUFFLE THE TILES

Jean-Francois, if signed would be the second defensive lineman added to the roster in a two-day span. It would also fix the lingering depth problem the team has at the end position. Outside of Akiem Hicks, all they have are Mitch Unrein, Jonathan Bullard, Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson. Not much to feel good about. Jean-Francois is far more proven and credible. There is also a belief that his arrival could take defensive line off the list of possible picks early in the draft.

That would mean Jonathan Allen is no longer a consideration. Perhaps even Solomon Thomas, the fast-developing fan favorite. If that's the case then the board takes on a significant shift. What is left in the top 10 that the Bears could go with if not defensive line? Of course safety is the popular choice. Problem is Malik Hooker is injured and Jamal Adams doesn't have the "elite" label in terms of talent. Besides, safeties come very expensive when taken that high. There are no offensive tackles, outside linebackers, or wide receivers worthy of going that high. Only one cornerback is mentioned for that range in Marshon Lattimore and he has a history of hamstring problems. Tight end? The talent level is there for sure but no tight end has ever gone higher than the sixth pick in draft history. Love it or hate it, that only leaves one position that makes sense. Presuming this theory is correct. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Top-5-Quarterbacks-in-the-2017-NFL-Draft-Total-Access.mp4"][/video]

CONNECT THE DOTS

The debate on social media continues to rage. The Chicago Bears must draft a quarterback. No they must take the best player available. Back and forth. There likely will be no end to it until the team actually makes that selection at the end of April. At that point it won't matter anymore, one way or the other. Still, the signs are there for people to note. One defensive lineman signed already. Another one potentially on the cusp. On top of that? The Bears only have two quarterbacks under contract at present. One of them is a former backup whose new contract runs out of almost all its guaranteed money by year two. The other a third-stringer who had a nice preseason before breaking his leg. Not exactly a duo that screams "security" at the most important position in the game. There is the chance that Jean-Francois signs elsewhere, but if he doesn't it's time to reexamine what this team might have planned.