Chicago Bears

TEAM NEEDS: Wide receiver, pass-rushing defensive end, offensive tackle, safety, running back.

WR -- The Bears don't have a legitimate go-to guy, and it's still a bit of a stretch to call Devin Hester a No. 2, although if he continues his sharp learning curve, he could be there this season. The only other wide receiver on the roster with NFL experience is Rashied Davis, probably no better than a No. 4 in a good offense. The Bears need a big receiver, one with speed to stretch the field or enough bulk and toughness to work the middle.

Last year, the combined total of the five other wide receivers currently on the Bears' roster -- John Broussard, Devin Aromashodu, Davis, Brandon Rideau and Earl Bennett -- was 35 catches and 445 yards -- all by Davis.

Pass-rushing DE -- Nobody on the team had more than six sacks, and when the Bears don't get pressure with the front four the defense struggles, as it did much of last season and the season before that. Since Mark Anderson has disappeared in the two seasons since he had 12 sacks as a rookie, the Bears could be looking for a situational pass rusher/developmental player in the draft to help out on passing downs initially and perhaps develop into an every-down player.

OT -- Recently signed Orlando Pace will start at left tackle, which means last year's first-round draft pick, Chris Williams, should start at right tackle after missing much of last season following training camp back injury. Williams played a handful of snaps in the second half of last season, mostly on special teams. ORT John Tait has retired, and unrestricted free agent John St. Clair, a 16-game starter at left tackle, signed with the Browns. UFA Frank Omiyale, who started one game in four seasons with the Panthers, is expected to challenge incumbent Josh Beekman for the left guard job. Kevin Shaffer, who was cut by the Browns, should be the swing tackle, but the Bears are in trouble if they have to play him at left tackle.

FS -- Kevin Payne started all 16 games last season, four at free safety and 12 at strong safety, where he's a much better fit. Craig Steltz had been penciled in at free safety until the Bears picked up Josh Bullocks, who could be their answer. Steltz is a better strong safety, anyway. If Bullocks has matured past the brain cramps that have hindered his play in the past, the Bears shouldn't have to worry as much about this spot, but historically the Bears seem to lose more safeties to injury than the average NFL team.

RB -- Matt Forte had an excellent rookie season, but the Bears don't want to have to give him 25 touches a game. Last season they had no choice, since backups Kevin Jones, Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe all represented a major drop-off in performance from Forte. A big, strong, between-the-tackles, short-yardage banger would greatly reduce the wear and tear on Forte.

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