(670 The Score) With the free agency waves having subsided, the Bears are focusing on the NFL Draft.
The Bears own seven selections in the draft, which runs April 23-25, and their first picks come in the second round at No. 43 and No. 50 overall.
While the Bears are set with starters at most key positions, they can add competition to the mix immediately or seek long-term solutions in the draft.
Some position groups have more pressing needs than others. Let's take a look.
1.) Quarterback
By acquiring veteran Nick Foles by trade, the Bears brought in the right type of competitor for Mitchell Trubisky and created an "open competition" at quarterback, as general manager Ryan Pace said.
But the Bears still lack a long-term solution at quarterback. Foles is 31 and entering his ninth NFL season, meaning the Bears can't expect him to produce anything more than his established track record. Trubisky is 25 and still developing after having failed to meet expectations. It's hard to see him becoming the quarterback whom the Bears once envisioned.
The Bears must prepare themselves for a 2021 without Trubisky, whose contract expires after this season, and Foles, who could potentially void the remainder of his restructured deal. Pace needs to be honest about the Bears' long-term situation at quarterback.
It's why the Bears should view the quarterback position as their top priority and address it with a draft pick. They should have options in the second round in Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts, Georgia's Jake Fromm or Washington's Jacob Eason.
2.) Safety
The Bears are seeking a safety complement for Eddie Jackson and are without a clear answer on their roster.
Deon Bush, Jordan Lucas and Kentrell Brice are set for a three-man competition at safety, but each player was given a one-year contract. The Bears still have a major void at safety in their long-term future, and the draft offers Pace a chance to fill that.
Pace has scouted the safety position well, including drafting Jackson in the fourth round in 2017 and Adrian Amos in the fifth round in 2015.
3.) Cornerback
The Bears were forced to make salary cap-fueled cuts to open up their books this offseason. The greatest loss was cornerback Prince Amukamara, a steady veteran whose release created an additional $9 million in cap space.
There's still a void at cornerback opposite of Kyle Fuller. Artie Burns, a 2016 first-round pick, was given a one-year deal and the chance to prove himself. He will battle with Kevin Toliver and Tre Roberson, a former Canadian Football League standout who signed with Chicago in January.
Pace likes the potential of those three players but also must acknowledge the possibility that the cornerback vacancy is a weak link.
4.) Offensive line
Bears coach Matt Nagy was clearly frustrated with his team's offensive line play in 2019. He couldn't fire the starters, so he dismissed offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.
The Bears could seek competition for their offensive line in the draft, and the deep class of offensive tackles could give Pace some strong options with the team's second-round slots.
Drafting a tackle would mean putting Bobby Massie and Charles Leno Jr. on notice.
5.) Tight end
The Bears' signing of Jimmy Graham in March represented the 10th tight end to their roster. But is there one who will make a difference in Nagy's offense?
This draft has some intriguing tight ends available who could fit the Bears' U position and be a dynamic weapon that has been missing. While the likes of Graham, Trey Burton and others will get the first chances at tight end, the Bears can seek a fit for their future in the draft. Notre Dame's Cole Kmet would fit the bill if he's still available in the middle of the second round.
6.) Running back
David Montgomery had mixed results in his rookie season, and Tarik Cohen regressed statistically. Those struggles came in part due to team-wide offensive woes that included poor line play, but the Bears still need more from both players.
Montgomery, Cohen and Ryan Nall are the lone running backs on the Bears' roster. Depth is much needed.
7.) Outside linebacker
A team can never have enough pass rushers. The Bears have a dangerous edge duo at outside linebacker with Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, but the depth behind those two is questionable.
The Bears signed outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo in free agency, but he's best-suited as a special teams contributor. An injury to Mack or Quinn would expose the Bears' lack of depth.
8.) Defensive line
The Bears took pride in the next-man-up mentality on their defensive line in 2019. With Akiem Hicks injured for most of the season, Nick Williams emerged on the defensive line.
Williams is now a Detroit Lion, and the Bears could look to add another defensive lineman to the rotation.
9.) Receiver
Even after releasing Taylor Gabriel to clear $4.5 million in cap space, the Bears are still set well at receiver.
Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller return to their starting roles, Cordarrelle Patterson can expect to fill a more prominent part in Nagy's plans and the Bears are hoping Riley Ridley and Javon Wims can continue to develop.
10.) Inside linebacker
The Bears were prepared for inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski to leave in free agency as he did, and they're still well set with depth at the position.
Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan are the Bears' established starters at inside linebacker, while Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Devante Bond and Josh Woods represent depth pieces.
11.) Special teams
There's no reason to expect the Bears to draft a kicker, but they could perhaps sign one after the draft to challenge Eddy Pineiro.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
