Chicago Bears

Bears Roster Moves: Week 14

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:54 p.m. ET

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

A win in week 13 hasn’t stopped the Bears from trying to improve their roster for the rest of the season. The Bears have been busy this week, like most, trying to improve the bottom of their roster. Below is a breakdown of the Bears roster moves this week.

Bears sign CB Johnthan Banks

Tampa Bay drafted Banks early in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft after an impressive college career at Mississippi St that included being named first team All-SEC, 2nd team All-American, and winning the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in college football.

Banks was widely considered a first round corner and was compared to both Patrick Peterson and Aqib Talib coming out of college. Obviously Banks didn’t play as well as either early in his NFL career or he wouldn’t be available for the Bears to sign off the waiver wire.

He has started 37 games in his four-year NFL career and has 7 interceptions, 123 tackles, and 1 touchdown so far. Banks was a great fit for Lovie Smith’s cover two scheme, but wasn’t as effective one Smith was fired. He was traded to the Lions about a month ago for a 7th round pick, but released a few days ago after not fitting into the Lions scheme either.

The Bears were quick to sign Banks, since they have been looking for an effective tall corner since before the 2015 season (Alan Ball??). Banks has the size the Bears are looking for (6’2, 185) and has shown enough potential to deserve another chance.

With all the injuries in the Bears secondary, Banks should get plenty of snaps over the next few weeks to prove if he belongs in the plans for 2017. I like the signing and think the Bears could have found a steal.

Next: More Roster Moves

Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Bears sign WR Bralon Addison

The Bears brought in multiple receivers for a try-out this week, headlined by former Wisconsin Badger Jared Abrederris, but they ended up signing Bralon Addison, a rookie out of Oregon. Addison went undrafted this year, despite having a 4th-5th round grade from most sites, before being signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent.

Addison was a key part of the Ducks explosive offensive and had 146 catches for 1,937 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns during his time there. He most likely would have been drafted early on day three of the draft, if not for a surprisingly slow 4.66 40-time at the combine.

He lacks the ideal build for an NFL receiver at 5’9, 197, but has soft hands, natural receiving skills, a low center of gravity, and good power with the ball in his hands. Addison projects as a slot receiver, potential Sproles-like 3rd down back, or punt/kick returner at the NFL level. The Bears could use an upgrade in all three of those roles.

It’s likely Addison won’t see many NFL snaps with the Bears until the 2017 season, but he’s a signing with plenty of upside. Addison likely will compete for either the 3rd down back or punt returner role for the Bears next season. He could be a steal if the Bears can figure out how to use his talents effectively.