The Chicago Bears defense was terrible in 2014 and that is why many think the team may draft a player like Anthony Barr or Justin Gilbert in the first round, along with names like Timmy Jernigan, Aaron Donald and CJ Mosley are also in the mix heading into May, while a LaMichael James trade also could be an option for Marc Trestman on offense.
According to ESPN.com, the Bears are meeting with Barr, who was thought by some to be a top 10 pick before dropping a bit. He comes in with a solid 4.6 forty time and last season he had over 60 tackles and 10.0 sacks for the Bruins of UCLA. At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, Barr can be a force in the middle that the team has been lacking with Brian Urlacher gone and he could team with 2012 first-round choice Shea McClellin to have a solid linebacking unit this season. Barr had an amazing season two years ago with over 80 tackles, 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles-for-loss and that could make him a first round pick.
The Bears come into the 2014 season after giving up a franchise record amount of yards and that means the team could focus on defense for this draft. The team ranked 15th in passing yards per game last season and last in the league in rushing yards per game with over 160 yards allowed, which is why many see linebacker and defensive tackle as options for the draft. The team signed Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen to deals in the offseason and that surely will help getting to the quarterback, but they also need to add more depth and that is why players like Barr and Jernigan could be options for Trestman.
The offense is mostly set after Matt Forte had a career season and with Alshon Jeffery emerging with Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler slinging it, the unit looks to be very productive. The depth is thin past Forte with Michael Bush leaving and that could lead to the team drafting someone like De'Anthony Thomas or Carlos Hyde, while ESPN.com blogger Michael C. Wright mentions the possibility of a James deal. The Bears don't have that many draft picks, but since the Niners have a ton, they could be willing to take a late round pick for the back.
James hasn't played much for the Niners over the past two years, but he is fast as heck and after losing Devin Hester this offseason, he could step in a be an ace return man for the team. Forte put together some great stats with Trestman last season, but he needs more behind him besides Michael Ford and while it might cost a draft pick, a fifth or sixth rounder may not end up being as valuable as James can be. The team comes in with seven picks, including one in each of the first five rounds and then two in the sixth. The Bears pick at number 14 overall and then again at number 51 and some think that Barr could be the pick in the first round.
