The Bears added eight players to their roster during the three-day NFL draft. They addressed depth concerns and several needs while also fortifying positions of strength.

General manager Ryan Poles and his scouts were devoted to following their big board, trusting it to tell them which players to select and when to trade back for increased value over irresponsibly forcing picks.

“I do think you can get into a lot of trouble when you start trying to manipulate things to get into certain pockets,” Poles said in his Saturday post-draft press conference, “where it ends up hurting your team long-term.”

That leaves some roster holes that the Bears are unlikely to properly fill in undrafted free agency. There aren’t a ton, and some are minor. That said, dipping a toe back into free agency would help. Street free agents are a relative rarity at this point, but some veterans have been waiting for the draft to end to find the right spot.

Adding talent and competition might be required at three positions, including one area of more glaring need.

Running back

The Bears entered the draft looking to take a running back relatively high. They were one pick away from having a shot at Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson in the second round. They worked to trade up for Ashton Jeanty in the first round, but the cost was too high.

They missed out on several desired options and didn’t end up taking a running back until the seventh round.

Super-productive Rutgers rusher Kyle Monangai was the eventual selection, and while his bruising style could offer D’Andre Swift a nice complement, you can’t bank on the 233rd overall pick making an instant impact.

The Bears currently employ Swift and Roschon Johnson as primary backs. Ian Wheeler will try again after missing all of last year with an ACL injury. Travis Homer is more of a core special-teams player. Now Monangai is in the mix as well.

The Bears still should hit the street and see if they can add another veteran to the mix. Gus Edwards is a thumper at 238 pounds and has averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his career. He’s 30 and wasn’t as efficient in 2024, but he’d be an intriguing option. J.K. Dobbins is another efficient runner and weighs in at 215. He could bring some balance to the room, and he’s just 26.

So, the Bears have options among veterans waiting out the draft, and they should look to sign one to help correctly execute coach Ben Johnson’s run game. With a decent amount of running backs looking for work, the price might not be sky high. That would take pressure off Monangi and maybe put it on Johnson to show better and earn a significant role.

Edge rusher

The Bears added versatile defensive lineman Shemar Turner in the second round, but he was more of an interior presence last year at Texas A&M after he spent time at end. He could move around some and create off the edge.

The Bears could stand pat and go with Austin Booker as a primary reserve, but adding depth wouldn’t hurt even if they don’t import star power. A few older veterans remain on the market, but they could be waiting for a team willing to pay a higher price.

Ben Johnson saw Za’Darius Smith play in Detroit last year, which might help, but his price could be too high for a team with two high-priced, established starters and without much effective salary-cap space.

Safety

This is a lower priority than it was in the draft, and here’s why. The Bears needed to plan for the future more than help out the 2025 crew. They have a solid two-deep with starters Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III, plus solid reserves Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens. That’s a solid grouping with solid injury protection.

Adding safety depth might be kicked down the road, but the Bears always could supplement the group with a veteran for competition.