March 06--Part of a position-by-position preview of where the Bears stand entering free agency on Tuesday.
SAFETIES
Signed for 2015: Ryan Mundy, Brock Vereen, Anthony Walters.
Expiring contracts: Chris Conte, Danny McCray.
Top shelf free agents: Devin McCourty, Rahim Moore, Antrel Rolle.
On the bargain rack: Da'Norris Searcy, Kendrick Lewis, Stevie Brown, Jamarca Sanford, Sergio Brown, Nate Allen.
Position synopsis: Because of an ultra-thin draft class at the position, the Bears likely will look to free agency to either land a starting-caliber free safety or to bolster depth. Conte will not be back with the team for a fifth season, opening a starting job. After signing a two-year deal with the Bears in free agency a year ago, Mundy settled in as a dependable strong safety, starting all 16 games and recording four interceptions. Vereen took his lumps during his rookie season and must become more physical and instinctive to challenge for a prominent role on defense.
Worth asking: Just how much are the Bears willing to spend on a safety in free agency?
Most analysts see Alabama's Landon Collins as the only safety in the draft class with the ability to be a lock to start as a rookie. But Collins is more of an in-the-box safety. So if strengthening the pass defense is a top priority, Pace will want to be serious with his safety search. If McCourty hits the open market as expected, his talent will prove tantalizing. His financial demands, however, must be taken into consideration with the standout perhaps commanding a deal north of $9 million per year. Fox coached Moore for the last four seasons with the Broncos and will have plenty of insight into his upside. After missing all of 2013 with an ACL tear, Stevie Brown had an ordinary season last fall which will keep his price tag low. But Brown recorded eight interceptions in 2012 with the Giants and could be a discount find.
