Chicago Bears NFL Draft primer: Safety

The Chicago Bears added three safeties via free agency, but neither is a slam dunk to open the season with a starting position. Their returning guys don't elicit much confidence either. The Bears need more talent at the position, and they will draft one at some point.

Here's the SB Nation big board at safety.

1. Ha'Sean "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix | 6'1 3/8, 208 pounds | Safety | Alabama *
2. Calvin Pryor | 5'11 1/8, 207 pounds | Safety | Louisville *
3. Jimmie Ward | 5'11, 193 pounds | Safety | Northern Illinois
4. Lamarcus Joyner | 5'8, 184 pounds | Safety | Florida State
5. Deone Bucannon | 6'1, 211 pounds | Safety | Washington State
6. Dion Bailey | 5'11 3/4, 201 pounds | Safety | Southern California *
7. Terrence Brooks | 5'10 7/8, 198 pounds | Safety | Florida State
8. Craig Loston | 6'0 5/8, 217 pounds | Safety | LSU
9. Tre Boston | 5'11 5/8, 204 pounds | Safety | North Carolina
10. Hakeem Smith | 6'0, 194 pounds | Safety | Louisville
11. Ahmad Dixon | 6'0, 212 pounds | Safety | Baylor
12. Marqueston Huff | 5'11, 196 pounds | Safety | Wyoming
13. Sean Parker | 5'10, 193 pounds | Safety | Washington
14. C.J. Barnett | 6'0, 204 pounds | Safety | Ohio State
15. Ed Reynolds | 6'1, 207 pounds | Safety | Stanford
16. Kenny Ladler | 6'0 1/8, 207 pounds | Safety | Vanderbilt
17. Vinnie Sunseri | 5'11, 210 pounds | Safety | Alabama *
18. Christian Bryant | 5'9, 198 pounds | Safety | Ohio State
19. Jonathan Dowling | 6'2 3/4, 190 pounds | Safety | Western Kentucky *
20. Ty Zimmerman | 6'1, 202 pounds | Safety | Kansas State
21. Isaiah Johnson | 6'2, 208 pounds | Safety | Georgia Tech
22. Jerry "BooBoo" Gates | 5'11, 213 pounds | Safety | Bowling Green
23. Isaiah Lewis | 5'9 7/8, 211 pounds | Safety | Michigan State

For more detailed information on their big board click here.

The consensus top two players at the position have both met privately with the Bears. Each brings a 1st round grade, so if the Bears have their sights set on either Calvin Pryor or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, they'll have to pull the trigger in round one.

Clinton-Dix has better balls skills, but he doesn't necessarily shy away from contact.

Pryor has the rep as a big hitter, but he also has an all around game. While I personally prefer Clinton-Dix, I have a feeling Pryor is more in Phil Emery's wheelhouse.

If the Bears elect to wait on a safety the talent drop off is a steep one according to some scouts.

The Bears held a private workout with Deone Bucannon as well, and he seems like more of an in-the-box type strong safety.

Tight ends should hesitate working up the seam with Bucannon in coverage. He's capable of delivering crushing hits, separating the receiver from the ball. More importantly, he can run and cover tight ends in man situations. With his physical playing style, Bucannon is also an asset against the run.

Bucannon has been receiving a 3rd round grade, but in this safety class he may go in the 2nd.

Marqueston Huff has been linked to the Bears since they attended Wyoming's pro day. Huff played corner most of his college career, only moving to safety as a senior. His Senior Bowl performance led some scouts to believe he could play either position at the next level.

Check out this SB Nation report on their top five safeties.