Chicago Bears post draft roster needs

The Bears could still use some help in the defensive trenches.

With most of the big free agent fishes hooked, and with the NFL Draft concluded, we have a pretty good idea of how this team looks on paper, but…

What is the Chicago Bears’ top remaining roster need?

We asked you guys this question in our Reacts poll earlier this week, but we also took the question to our team at WCG to get their response.

And here’s what we had to say.

Aaron Leming: At this point, I think it has to be the defensive line. Whether that’s edge or defensive tackle. Pick your poison. The bigger issue is that looking at the free agent market, defensive tackle is all but picked over. Calais Campbell is the best remaining player available, but at 38 years old, I’m not sure he makes a ton of sense. On the edge, there are a few intriguing options. One of those includes simply re-signing Yannick Ngakoue at a discounted price. My guess is that one of these two needs will be filled, but it’s hard to imagine the defensive line being a strength in 2024.

Erik Duerrwaechter: For me, it is still the defensive line in general, but specifically defensive end. While I’m a big fan of seeing my guy, Austin Booker, get drafted, the other options not named Montez Sweat don’t warrant much confidence from me. They need to, at a minimum, find that consistent presence adjacent to Tez until Booker is ready to take over full-time.

Josh Sunderbruch: I am going to join the chorus saying Edge defender. I don’t think it’s a major need, but it’s an issue that needs to be addressed with at least a few minor free agent signings.

Mason West: Like last year, it is edge depth, but you can add DT into that as well. Ryan Poles is putting a lot of stock in the continued development of Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens without Justin Jones to fall on. Edge is more or less the same sans Yannick Ngakoue, but there is only so much Montez Sweat can do. I would expect Poles to go after a veteran at one, if not both, of these positions.

Taylor Doll: I am going DT. I do think we have to look at EDGE because I’m not sure we have someone across from Sweat who can make a huge difference. I’m obviously hoping Booker can be a guy, but we need to see it. I like DeMarcus Walker inside on occasion, but I don’t love it, so I think some interior pass rush help is a bigger need over EDGE. Get another 3-Tech guy who can help push up the middle a bit, especially with the rotations ‘Flus likes.

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Sam Householder: Defensive tackle. Yes, d-line in general, but DT specifically. You can point to where the EDGE production will come from, although you could use another vet there. But at DT they haven’t really identified a replacement for Justin Jones. That’s 4.5 sacks and 10 TFLs that they’re banking on Pickens to fill. Dexter should get a bump in playing time, but it still feels like they need something more there.

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: On game days, the Bears go four deep in rotation at both end and tackle, and I’m more comfortable with the EDGE depth chart than I am with the interior. But that’s mostly because there’s a Pro Bowler off the EDGE in Montez Sweat. At tackle, the Bears are hoping Dexter and Pickens take a step up in play as sophomores, and while I think that’s likely, replacing Jones, who played nearly 70% of the defensive snaps last year, will require one more player.

Here’s how you guys voted in our Chicago Bears Reacts survey earlier this week.

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