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Eddie Goldman - signed through 2018 - As of right now, Goldman is the only legit NFL starter on the Chicago Bears roster. There are a few youngsters with promise, but the Bears need to find two starting quality defensive ends this offseason, so Goldman van man the nose.
Jarvis Jenkins - free agent - I thought Jenkins played well enough last year to earn another 1 year deal, but the Bears would be best off if he were depth and not a starter. As a rotational DE I think he adds some value to the roster, but the Bears need a difference maker on the d-line.
Mitch Unrein - free agent - I view Unrein like I view Jenkins, they're both nice players, but the Bears could do better. Unrein is a year older than the soon to be 28 year old Jenkins, so if the Bears only wanted one veteran to return, it may be Jenkins.
Ego Ferguson - signed through 2017 - Ferguson only played 4 games last year before going on injured reserve, so I'm not even sure he can play in a 30 front. He is under contract and he's only 24, so he'll be around this offseason to fight for a job.
Will Sutton - signed through 2017 - Through 2 years and 28 games, the "penetrating" Sutton has yet to record a sack. Like Ferguson, he's under contract and 24, so he'll at least have a chance to show something in camp.
Cornelius Washington - signed through 2016 - I think most Bears' fans fell in love with Washington's measureables, but the fact is he hasn't done much in 3 years in Chicago. He has the necessary size to play 3-4 DE for the Bears at 6'4" and 285, but he has to stay healthy. Nothing will be promised to CornWash this offseason.
Greg Scruggs - signed through 2016 - The Bears signed Scruggs late last year when they had some injury issues and he picked up a sack in Chicago's last game. He's a guy that has a little experience and is still only 25. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he's gone in the first wave of cuts.
Bruce Gaston - signed through 2016 - Of all the young d-line reserves on the Bears roster, I saw more in Gaston's few snaps last year than I did from anyone else. He's still a raw prospect, but he'll have a chance to earn a spot on the roster.
Keith Browner - signed through 2016 - The Bears signed Browner to a reserve/futures deal and he spent a brief time of the 53 man roster of the Texans in 2014.
D'Anthony Smith - signed through 2016 - Smith is a former 3rd round draft pick from the 2010 class that joined the Bears practice squad last October, and was elevated to fill in when injuries piled up. He turns 28 this summer, so he'll really need to flash something to beat out a younger player.
Terry Williams - signed through 2016 - The legend of Terry Williams was strong last offseason. The problem was, he showed nothing during preseason to warrant the hype. Fans were intrigued by him immense girth coming out of East Carolina, but he has dropped some weight after playing around 350 in college. The Bears list him as 322 these days, so we'll see if a better conditioned Williams plays football any better.
2016 OUTLOOK - Looking over the roster as currently constructed and I don't see one player I'd be happy starting with Eddie Goldman on the d-line. The Bears should look to both free agency and the draft to bulk up the position.
Denver's Malik Jackson is at the top of the d-line free agent wish list and our own Sam Householder took a look at him right here. Sam also spotlighted New York Jets' DT Damon Harrison right here. If the Bears are looking for a less expensive option, Philadelphia's Cedric Thornton is a run plugging 5-Tech that could man the LDE spot.
You guys voted defensive end as the Bears 2nd biggest need this offseason, so I took a look at some veteran and draft eligible prospects right here.
Our drat guy, EJ Snyder, has already scouted a few defensive linemen. Click here for his take on UCLA's Kenny Clark, here for his report on Oregon's DeForest Buckner and here for his look at Ole Miss' Robert Nkemdiche. Defensive line is probably the deepest position in the 2016 NFL Draft, so the Bears should be able to get a starting defensive end in the 1st or the 2nd round if that's how their board falls.
What do you guys think the Bears are planning at the defensive line position in 2016?