Chicago Bears: Top 5 free agent targets

5. Rodger Saffold

Kicking things off for the Bears top free agent targets is veteran offensive lineman, Rodger Saffold. Saffold was a mainstay and instrumental contributor on the league’s top-rated offensive line according to Football Outsiders.

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Where Saffold apparently excelled was in the running game. Obviously, it helps to have a guy like Todd Gurley in the backfield, but the Bears contingent of Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard are pretty formidable.

Football Outsiders breaks down the Rams’ offensive line performance even further, and when it does, it reveals that the team was the most effective running the ball up the middle and at the guard positions. Their adjusted line yards when running in that direction were a league-high 5.81.

If the Bears decide to keep Jordan Howard, a player like Saffold would help tremendously as Howard prefers the power gap scheme, and likes running the ball up the gut before bouncing it outside. However, that is not to say that Saffold would not excel at the zone blocking scheme or in pass protection as he is above average in both areas.

Finally, Saffold would give the Bears flexibility should they decide not to bring back Kyle Long. And even if they do, he would be a good rotational piece and insurance against offensive line injuries.