Chicago Bears 2017 free agency: Players they should target

Stephon Gilmore, CB (6-foot-0, 190 pounds)

Okay, this is an easy one. There are reports all over the place that Gilmore is one of the Bears’ top priorities this offseason. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that the Bears will make a big push to sign Gilmore.

"Forecasting free agency can be as hazardous as constructing a mock draft that doesn’t look like a mess before the first round is half over. But based on conversations with many sources across the league, it sounds as if the Bears are expected to make a strong bid for Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore — a replacement addition to the Pro Bowl last season after a career-high five interceptions…"

Cornerback is a big need for the Bears. This was another unit that suffered many injuries. It was so bad that the team fielded rookie free agents as starters. They found some players who will add depth to the corps, but they need the top guy, the one who welcomes in the opposition’s best receivers. Also, with Tracy Porter advancing in age and Kyle Fuller’s apparent unwillingness to go out and play puts the team in a bad situation.

Gilmore can help that. He was the Buffalo Bills’ first-round draft pick (10th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. In his career, he has 226 tackles and 14 interceptions.

Because of their cornerback situation, and the fact that they face some very good quarterbacks just in their own division, the Bears’ wallet will open up for Gilmore. His price tag could reach around $12-13 million, but the front office must do what it can to shore up the position.