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ESPNChicago.com continues its Bears draft preview series with a look at the defensive tackles.

The Chicago Bears' decision to apply the franchise tag to Pro Bowler Henry Melton eliminated the need to pursue a starting-caliber defensive tackle in free agency, but the idea of adding another interior defensive lineman via the draft seems plausible.

With Melton and former second-round pick Stephen Paea already in place to anchor the first-team, the Bears re-signed Nate Collins to a veteran minimum contract deal and recently picked up former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Andre Fluellen to provide depth after the Bears released Matt Toeaina. Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye also remains unsigned.

Under former general manager Jerry Angelo, the Bears routinely used high draft picks on defensive tackles, selecting such players as Paea (2011), Jarron Gilbert (2009), Marcus Harrison (2008), Dusty Dvoracek (2006) and Tommie Harris (2004). The Bears always placed an emphasis on speed, not size, in the old defensive system run by ex-coach Lovie Smith, so it will be interesting to see if the philosophy changes with new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker calling the shots.

Next 10: Jordan Hill, Penn State, 6-1, 303; Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin, 6-4, 329; Josh Boyd, Mississippi State, 6-3, 310; Bennie Logan, LSU, 6-2, 309; Everett Dawkins, Florida State, 6-2, 292; Nicholas Williams, Samford, 6-5, 309; T.J. Barnes, Georgia Tech, 6-6, 369; Kwame Geathers, Georgia, 6-6, 342; Cody Grissom, South Florida, 6-2, 306; Mike Purcell, Wyoming, 6-3, 305.

Grade: B

Analysis: Until Melton is locked up to a long-term deal, the Bears need to be serious about searching for his replacement. The jury is still out on Paea, whom the Bears moved to nose tackle his rookie season, despite the fact he was billed as a three-technique coming into the league. Paea started 14 games last season and finished with just 2.5 sacks. However, on a positive note, Paea made it through the regular season in relative good health, a major improvement from his rookie campaign.

Reserves Collins and Fluellen possess certain pass-rushing traits, but defensive tackle is still considered a need. Unless the Bears are sold on one of the early-round prospects, there seems to be a couple potential mid-round prospects that could entice the Bears later in the draft.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Travel-related issues caused by recent storms in the Chicagoland are believed to have forced a handful of Chicago Bears players to miss the final day of the club's voluntary three-day minicamp on Thursday, including Pro Bowlers wide receiver Brandon Marshall and defensive tackle Henry Melton.

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With the release of veteran defensive tackle Matt Toeaina on Tuesday, the Chicago Bears created a void at the position they'll need to address through the upcoming draft or veteran free agency.

As it stands now, the club carries just three defensive tackles into its offseason conditioning program in Henry Melton, Stephen Paea and Nate Collins. At the end of the 2012 season, the Bears were carrying four players at the position.

According to the team's game-by-game participation statistics, the Bears rotated six players at defensive tackle, including free-agent defensive end Israel Idonije, who started two games at one of the interior spots.

Given the importance of the defensive tackle position in a 4-3 scheme, the Bears certainly need to acquire at least one more player to serve in the rotation. On the offensive line, players participate in entire games at their set positions. But on defense, teams typically like to rotate the more athletic defensive linemen in and out of the lineup to keep them fresh.

Veteran defensive tackle Amobi Okoye may still be a possibility for the Bears, but he's testing the free agent market. A four-year starter with the Houston Texans, who drafted him No. 10 overall in 2007, Okoye has never lived up to the expectations that accompanied his high draft position. Because of Okoye's history with former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who recently joined the Dallas Cowboys, it was rumored the Cowboys might be interested. But Okoye remains unsigned, and there's a small possibility he could return to the Bears on a veteran minimum deal.

Idonije appears to be another option as a rotational player, although he started the first nine games of last season at left defensive end, opposite Julius Peppers. Idonije possesses the versatility to kick inside to defensive tackle in a pinch as a starter or as a situational pass rusher. Idonije received $2.5 million last season in salary and bonuses. But a return to Chicago for Idonije would have to come at a greatly reduced rate.

So whether the Bears use the draft in April or veteran free agency to address defensive tackle it appears certain the team will add at the position before it gets into the meat of its offseason schedule with minicamps and organized team activities looming.

After all, just getting through practices would seem to be a difficult task with just three defensive tackles on the roster.

CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears have informed restricted free agent defensive tackle Nate Collins they will not tender him before the March 12 3 p.m. CT deadline, Collins told ESPNChicago.com on Saturday.

Collins, the Bears’ lone restricted free agent, participated in nine games last season as a reserve defensive lineman and recorded 13 tackles and one tackle for a loss.

A veteran of three NFL seasons, Collins signed a one-year contract with the Bears this past May. He made a positive impression on the coaching staff in the preseason and eventually earned a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster after he served a one-game suspension in Week 1 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Once he officially rejoined the team in Week 2, Collins remained inactive until Oct. 28, when he made five tackles in his Bears debut – versus the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field.

Collins dressed for the next eight games but was inactive for the Bears' regular-season finale in Detroit.

Money might have been the issue for Collins after the Bears allocated $8.45 million in salary-cap space to the defensive tackle position when they applied the franchise tag to Pro Bowler Henry Melton. The 2013 low tender amount for restricted free agents is $1.323 million, although that deal is not guaranteed. The Bears could still have interest in re-signing Collins, but likely at a reduced price.

Collins previously played for new Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker when the two were members of the Jacksonville Jaguars organization in 2010 and 2011.

A week after the Chicago Bears placed their franchise tag on defensive tackle Henry Melton, his agent on Friday announced on Twitter that his client had accepted the designation and will sign the $8.45 million tender offer.

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The Chicago Bears have placed their franchise tag on Henry Melton, the defensive tackle's agent, Jordan Woy, confirmed Friday.

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Representatives for Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton hadn’t heard from the team as of Friday afternoon, according to an NFL source, but they anticipate the club applying the franchise tag before Monday’s 3 p.m. deadline.

General manager Phil Emery declined to divulge any information recently about how the team plans to proceed with Melton, per the GM's typical custom regarding contract matters.

The tag secures the services of the player for at least the next season and comes with a guaranteed 2013 salary of $8.45 million for defensive tackles, according to a memo from the NFL and NFLPA obtained by NFL Network.

"We'll be talking to Henry, and when we come to a conclusion, everybody will know," Emery said last month at the NFL combine.

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ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter joined "The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show" and speculated as to what the Chicago Bears' offseason moves might be in regard to 26-year-old defensive tackle Henry Melton, who had six sacks last season.

"I would expect that they end up tagging Henry Melton in the end if they can't get a long-term deal done, and I think they will try to get a long-term deal done with him," Schefter said. "But I think when you're looking at a defensive tackle at that age with those pass-rush skills you can't risk losing him.

"So I think the franchise tag number for Henry Melton is above $8 million per year. And I would expect Henry Melton will be back in Chicago whether that's on a long-term contract or whether it's on the franchise tag, but they're not going to let Henry Melton get away."

INDIANAPOLIS -- Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery remained mum Thursday when asked whether the team plans to place the franchise tag on defensive tackle Henry Melton to prevent him from departing via free agency.

"We'll work through that situation," Emery said during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. "Obviously, we'll be talking to Henry. When we come to a conclusion, everybody will know."

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» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Welcome to "Eight in the Box," a new NFL Nation feature that will appear each Friday during the offseason. This week’s topic: Which free agent is essential for each team to keep from its 2012 roster?

Chicago Bears: In his two years as a starter, Henry Melton has 13 sacks -- more than all but one NFL defensive tackle over that stretch. Some argue his skills only fit certain schemes, but if that's the case, the Bears' new coaching staff should make sure it runs one that allows Melton to continue rushing the passer.

Detroit Lions: Defensive end Cliff Avril has his detractors, but there are plenty of teams that would love to have a player who has collected 29 sacks in his past three seasons. Safety Louis Delmas is important as well, but he has trouble staying healthy while Avril has started 40 consecutive games, including playoffs.

Green Bay Packers: The team can probably absorb the expected departure of receiver Greg Jennings, but there should be no debate about the value of keeping cornerback Sam Shields, a restricted free agent. Shields' starting-caliber play late last season means the Packers have no choice but to issue him a high enough RFA tender to prevent him from signing elsewhere.

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings were one of four teams to use the same starting offensive line all season, and right tackle Phil Loadholt was a big part of their success. He won't command elite money and wants to return, so a deal shouldn't be difficult.

ESPNChicago examines potential unrestricted free agents at positions of need for the Bears.

Bears free agency previews: DE | G | WR | TE | QB | LB | OT »

The Chicago Bears experienced a youth explosion at the defensive tackle position in 2012 with starters Henry Melton and Stephen Paea coming into their own, which bodes well for the team's future provided they can re-sign Melton in free agency.

A pending free agent, Melton tied for third in the NFL among defensive tackles with a career-high six sacks in 2012 on the way to his first Pro Bowl nod. Paea, meanwhile, bounced back from an injury-riddled rookie season to start 14 games in which he posted 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks and eight quarterback pressures.

So if the Bears bring back Melton, who is expected to command a hefty salary, they don't need to dip into the free-agent market for anything other than depth at reasonable costs.

A scheme change also isn't expected to take place up front, given new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker's experience coaching 4-3 units in Jacksonville. Under Lovie Smith, the Bears preferred a penetrating, pass-rushing under tackle (Melton) to pair with a run-stopping nose tackle (Paea). But when Tucker worked in Jacksonville, the Jaguars wanted more size and run-stuffing capability from the DT spot.

Given the talent already on hand, Tucker likely won't change much. But eventually the Bears might begin to utilize the DTs in a more traditional sense, as opposed to what the club did in Smith's Tampa-2 scheme.

Should the Bears choose to look internally for depth at defensive tackle, they've got the option of trying to re-sign veterans Nate Collins and Amobi Okoye (unrestricted free agent), players both familiar with the system. A restricted free agent, Collins missed the first six games of last season, but made valuable contributions (13 tackles, three pressures) once the Bears placed him in the rotation. Tucker also is familiar with Collins from their time together in Jacksonville.

Okoye, meanwhile, spent the first 11 games of last season with the Bears, but played in six contests, contributing three tackles and a sack before the club waived him in November. Two weeks later, the Bears brought back Okoye because of a rash of injuries along the defensive line.

It's likely the Bears would consider Collins more of a priority to bring back for next season than Okoye.

Matt Toeaina is also an option, but the club must consider his future given the significance injuries played last season in limiting his production. Signed through 2013 and due a roster bonus of $290,000, Toeaina started in Week 1, but was inactive for 10 of the next 12 games. Toeaina returned to action on Dec. 9, and contributed three tackles in a loss at Minnesota. He missed the next week before finishing the last two games on the injured reserve.

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CHICAGO -- Chicago Bears Pro Bowl defensive tackle Henry Melton said Friday he remains optimistic the two sides can still finalize a deal before the start of free agency.

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With NFL free agency officially set to begin on March 12 (teams can begin to negotiate with agents of unrestricted free agents on March 9.), let's take a look at the top five Chicago Bears players with expiring contracts.

1. Henry Melton, DT: The question isn't whether the Bears want to re-sign Melton; it's at what price. The Bears negotiated with Melton's camp during the regular season, but the two sides were unable to strike a deal. When that happens, it's for one of two reasons, or sometimes both: money and years. With a combined 13 sacks over the past two seasons and a team-high 24 quarterback pressures in 2012, Melton probably deserves to be one of the higher paid defensive tackles in the NFL, but that range can cover anywhere from $5 million to $6 million a year or more. Finding the right dollar amount is obviously important, and so is the length of the contract. The Bears' preference likely would be to sign Melton to a five-year deal, while he will no doubt be looking to commit to just four years so he can potentially reach free agency again around the time he turns 30. The franchise tag is always an option, but that mechanism, while collectively bargained in the NFL CBA, can lead to awkward and potentially messy situations. If the Bears want Melton badly enough, the two sides should be able to work out a deal. But keep in mind the Bears have several needs to address this offseason, and only so much salary cap space, so they can't overpay to keep just one player.

2. Brian Urlacher, MLB: This one is complicated. On one hand, it would be nice to see Urlacher, a future Hall of Famer, retire on his own terms while wearing a Bears uniform, especially since he has given 13 years to the organization and to the city of Chicago. Despite missing the entire preseason with knee issues, Urlacher still had 88 tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one pick-six interception before he hurt his hamstring late in the year. With a full offseason to recover, an argument can be made that Urlacher can still be a productive and important member of any defense. But what kind of contract is Urlacher looking for? He made a total of $8 million last year between his base salary ($7.5 million) and workout bonus ($500,000). Will Urlacher have to take a pay cut to keep playing? Or would the Bears or another NFL team sign him to a two-year, $16 million-plus deal? And does Urlacher even want to stick around after Lovie Smith got fired? It's tough to say. Bears general manager Phil Emery was non-committal when the subject of Urlacher was broached at his end of the year press conference, but I have to imagine the McCaskey family would love to see No. 54 retire a Bear. However this plays out, it figures to be one of the most difficult and controversial Bears player decisions of the offseason.

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DETROIT -- Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton said there was no fallout on Sunday over the comments he made leading up to the game when he called Detroit Lions veteran center Dominic Raiola “old” and “dirty.”

Raiola responded to Melton’s verbal jabs the next day when he called the defensive tackle “a clown” and wondered why Melton had been named to his first-ever Pro Bowl.

“I don’t think we said anything to each other,” Melton said. “I think we had a couple of stare downs, that was about it.

“We started off a little hot on them. There wasn’t much said. You can’t really say much when you are losing. It was just fun. If you are going to say something you better back it up and I think we did that today. We had a lot of turnovers. Didn’t get the stops when we wanted to and we needed it… we did get the stop there at the end but we let some points slip away there that we shouldn’t have.”

Melton returned from a two-week absence to record a pair of tackles and recover a fumble that was later overturned by the officials.

Recent games between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions have not been friendly affairs, and I'm sure there are plenty of people in the Lions organization who would like nothing more than to knock the Bears out of playoff contention with a victory Sunday at Ford Field.

This week, Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton and Lions center Dominic Raiola exchanged public words -- "dirty" and "clown" were the key ones -- and on Sunday morning, Lions defensive end Lawrence Jackson left little doubt about his mindset.

Via Twitter, Jackson said:

Hate is such a strong word...but today it's fitting...-cough- Jay Cutler -cough- Bears...Ford Field stand up for us 1 more time...#Win #LJSP

— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) December 30, 2012

About three hours to go. ...