Need No. 14--Tight end

Players on roster

TE Desmond Clark (signed through 2010)
TE Greg Olsen (2011)
TE Kellen Davis (2011)
TE Fontel Mines (2010)

Need

After looking over the ranking list I submitted to the Sporting News, I'd probably move tight end up a slot or two if I had it to do over again. But it's certainly not an area of major concern. What the Bears could use is a more skilled in-line blocker for the run game. The loss of special teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo in free agency a year ago was well chronicled but just as significant was the departure of John Gilmore. The offense didn't come up with a replacement for Gilmore and it showed at times in the running game. Matt Forte had a terrific rookie season and there's good reason for optimism moving forward with him. Let's remember the Bears ranked 24th in the league in rushing. Gilmore would not have pushed them into the top half of the league, but he might have helped in short yardage.

The Bears have been doing their due diligence when it comes to one North Carolina prospect, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

The team already put Nicks through a private workout, and he's not the only Tar Heel the team has put under the microscope. J.J. Pesavanto of NFLDraftBible.com reports that the Bears have also put tight end Richard Quinn through a private workout. Quinn is considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft and that is an area the Bears are looking for improvement after failing to re-sign their own free agent in John Gilmore a year ago.