Free agency has come and gone (for the most part) and this is the perfect time to sit back and reassess team needs. It’s been an interesting start for general manager Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears. For most (including me), I had expected a bit more. They lost both Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan while replacing them with other veterans. Both of which have been viewed nationally as downgrades.

On top of that, they have not addressed the edge position yet from a depth perspective, which leaves me a little antsy heading into next month’s draft. With all of that in mind, I’m not sure you can make an argument that the Bears are any worse than they were heading into the offseason. Obviously, there have been changes but they haven’t lost or gained anything big.

They also still sit with a healthy amount of cap space ($17.7 million according to the NFLPA as of Monday). Which means they’ve still got the flexibility to make a few smaller moves and fill more holes before late April.

While we still don’t have a complete picture of their needs heading into this crucial period, most of their roster has become much more clear. Because of this, it should be much easier to project picks in the second installment of my 2019 Bears mock draft.

Round 3, Pick No. 87 overall

RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis

In my first mock draft, I had Miles Sanders projected in this spot. The more I dive into this draft class and read the tea leaves from combine and pro day workouts, the more it seems like Sanders is going to be long gone before the Bears pick.

The good news? It’s more likely that someone like Henderson falls to them.

Maybe I’ve overrated him a bit because last month, I would have never assumed he would be there at 87. One thing to keep in mind is that running backs are extremely hard to project.

If the Bears are able to land Henderson, it would be an excellent acquisition at this point in the draft. He’s got home run speed, very good receiving ability and very quick feet. He also can run with power, which makes him a good fit in multiple blocking schemes. He would be the perfect compliment to Mike Davis.

Round 4, Pick No. 126 overall

S Mike Edwards, Kentucky

Contrary to what some may believe, I absolutely believe the Bears are looking for their long-term answer at safety, alongside Eddie Jackson. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signing but if he has a good year, he’s going to command $7-8 million per year on the open market and I don’t see the Bears paying that. Plus Deon Bush will be a free agent.

Edwards is someone that has grown on many people. He may be more of the prototypical strong safety but he does have some coverage skills, which is why I like the fit here in the fourth. I’d say that he profiles closer to Adrian Amos but with better ball skills and range.

Amani Hooker or Darnell Savage are my top choices but I’m not sure either will be available when the Bears start picking.

Round 5, Pick No. 162 overall

Edge Jalen Jelks, Oregon

We’re two weeks into free agency and the Bears have yet to make a move at outside linebacker. Yes, they have Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd as their starters but depth off the edge is a serious need.

With this in mind, I still do believe they’ll add some sort of veteran before we reach the draft. Whether that’s re-signing Aaron Lynch or going after another veteran looking for a one-year, prove it deal, I’m still assuming that will happen. So, keep this in mind as I wait until the fifth-round to add an edge rusher.

Jelks is something the Bears have met with and someone who profiles well as a developmental edge prospect that could end up as a starter down the line. At this point, Jelks would just be depth but he’s one of my favorite Day 3 prospects and fits with adding upside to the future.

Round 7, Pick No. 222 overall

WR Penny Hart, Georgia State

Originally, I had Hart projected to go in the fifth-round but the more mocks I do with updated big boards, the more likely him being around later has become.

Think of Hart as Taylor Gabriel’s eventual replacement. He’s small (5’8, 180 pounds) and was one of the combine’s biggest snubs. Even so, he’s exactly the type of small school gamble Pace likes to take in the mid-to-late rounds.

Hart is a speedy target that brings versatility. He has extremely quick feet with very good speed to be a deep threat or someone they use in end-around type situations. He’s got steady hands and is the exact type of player that will help add a speed element to Nagy’s offense.

While the fifth-round could be a little high for someone like Hart, he fits the exact bill that Pace usually gambles on right around this time in the draft. A receiver isn’t a huge need but this is the type of player that you feature in small packages in year one and expand his role in the future.

Round 7, Pick No. 238 overall

K Matthew Gay, Utah

The Bears need a kicker. It’s really that simple. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has reported that the team doesn’t plan to spend big at kicker and through two weeks of free agency, that has held true.

Because of that, there’s very little chance that the Bears find a way to solve their kicking situation before the draft. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if they signed a veteran at a minimum salary benefit before the draft. Even so, I fully expect them to add a kicker during the draft process.

There’s a good chance that one kicker will be gone by this point but both Gay and Cole Tracy are the two kickers that appear to be the cream of this year’s kicking crop, along with Austin Seibert. Gay has the bigger leg and is used to kicking in bad weather. Yes, altitude is always cause for concern when evaluating kickers but he looks like the best fit for what Pace is looking for.