March 10--The Bears introduced linebacker Danny Trevathan as the biggest piece of their free-agent class to date on Thursday afternoon at Halas Hall and the plan is for a player to protect him to arrive on Friday.
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, who would fit well as a five-technique defensive end in John Fox's defense, is expected to make a free-agent visit to the Bears on Friday, a source familiar with the situation told the Tribune.
Hicks played the final 13 games for the Patriots last season after being traded from the Saints, who drafted him in the third round in 2012 when Bears general manager Ryan Pace and director of player personnel Josh Lucas were in New Orleans' front office.
Hicks is 6-foot-5, 324 pounds and is only 26 so he would fit the profile of younger players entering their prime that Pace has been working to add to the roster in free agency. He's more than just a player to keep blockers off of linebackers like Trevathan though. Hicks has the ability to rush the passer and could be effective moving inside to tackle in the sub packages.
The Bears have roughly $31 million remaining in salary cap space and are badly in need of defensive linemen even with that being one of the strengths of the draft. The Bears used 13 players on the defensive line last year, shuffling through players that were added during the end of the season by November and December.
Hicks has drawn solid interest across the league and veteran linemen have been paid well through the first 24 hours of free agency. The big deals will dwindle quickly and provided Hicks' visit goes well, the Bears could be in position to sign him before the weekend.
