Chicago Bears free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Indianapolis Colts strong safety Clayton Geathers (26) in the first quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Indianapolis Colts strong safety Clayton Geathers (26) in the first quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Danny Shelton #71 of the New England Patriots on the field prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Danny Shelton #71 of the New England Patriots on the field prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Danny Shelton, Defensive tackle

A former first-round pick of the Browns in 2015, Danny Shelton is a stout interior run defender coming off earning his very own Super Bowl ring with the Patriots this past season.

As mentioned previously, the amount of interior defenders available via the draft (as well as free agency with names like Grady Jarrett on the open market), could diminish a player like Shelton’s value to some degree. When he’s on, he’s one of the better run defenders in the league, but his lack of consistency could limit him to more of a rotational role.

The Bears defense obviously doesn’t need much of a facelift heading into next season, but adding a run-stuffing presence like Shelton on the cheap would still undoubtedly improve their numbers next season and help to keep other key players in the front seven fresh.

The Bears showed some interest in Shelton during the pre-draft process during 2015 (we’ll go ahead and skip right over their first-round selection that year), but perhaps this is the year that Shelton joins the team in hopes of reaching his second straight Super Bowl.