Last week we reached the part of the offseason where various media members began releasing lists ranking random NFL players, executives and pretty much anything else they can think of with the hope that it will create conversation amongst the fan bases.

While the number of lists released are too numerous to count, there were three that I found particularly interesting.

Bears Top 100

I’m not sure anybody alive is actually qualified to rank the 100 best players in the history of the Chicago Bears, but Dan Pompei and Don Pierson are as close as it gets.

I have nothing to add to players who retired before I was born and very little to say about the 1980s greats of whom I saw very little. But it still seems odd to me that Brian Urlacher wasn’t higher on the list.

Urlacher was a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection, whereas Richard Dent was really more of an afterthought and Jimbo Covert isn’t in at all — and doesn’t seem likely to get in. Yet both Dent and Covert ranked higher than Urlacher.

I’m cool with Devin Hester being second among the 2000s Bears, but Charles Tillman should’ve been ahead of Lance Briggs. Briggs was more recognized because he was Urlacher’s battery mate, but Tillman was the better player.

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Here are players who could be competing for starting jobs this season.

42. Khari Lee, TE. Most fans didn’t like giving up a 2017 draft pick to acquire Lee, but the Bears like him. He was a solid blocker last year and has potential as a receiver. Most fans underestimate how difficult it is for tight ends to make an impact as rookies but don’t be surprised if he takes a big step up this year.

41. Ego Ferguson, DL. When he played, Ferguson was immovable in the run game, but didn’t provide any pass rush. He was a starter, but they’ve added a lot to the position this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he started and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t make the team.

40. Sherrick McManis, CB. Should never play defense again but he’s a terrific special teams player.

39. Ka’Deem Carey, RB. A tough runner who keeps his legs churning. Will need to improve on specials and in pass protection to make the team this year.

38. Joshua Bellamy, WR. Made some big plays in the offense and is a quality special teams player. With Marquess Wilson likely to be out all of camp, Bellamy could have an impact on the outside again this year.

37. Nick Kwiatkoski, LB. I don’t expect the fourth-round pick to play a lot in the defense as a rookie but he should make an impact on special teams. Needs to get stronger, but showed good instincts in college and is an above average athlete.

36. Sam Acho, LB. Doesn’t do anything at a very high level, but he’s OK at everything. A solid defensive player and a quality special teams player. Still might have a hard time making the final roster.

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The Bears have needs. Many needs. So I’ve decided to apply a point value to those needs. 0 points would mean the Bears have absolutely no need to address this position during free agency. 10 points would mean the Bears are in trouble come 2016 if they don’t make a significant move. Here are the rankings, with a single sentence of rationale for each.

9.2 Defensive Line

Yes, Eddie Goldman looked like a long-term contributor for the Bears up front, but this unit was the least explosive on the entirety of the roster in 2015.

8.3 Inside Linebacker

McClellin, Timu and Anderson each had moments last season but the Bears need a true run-stuffing thumper in the middle of their defense.

8.1 Offensive Line

With so much talent available in the middle of the line (Mack, Boone, Incognito) the Bears would be doing their run game in 2016 a tremendous disservice by entering the season with so many question marks along the line.

8.0 Tight End

If Martellus Bennett is truly headed out the door (as the whole world is reporting) the Bears not only need to sign Zach Miller but also pair him with another player to threaten the middle of the field.

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