In its pre-draft NFL power rankings released Tuesday, ESPN.com ranks the Bears 11th overall, fourth in the NFC and second in the NFC North.
The top 10 consists of the Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos, Falcons, Patriots, Packers, Texans, Ravens, Colts and Bengals. The Vikings are ranked 17th, while the Lions are 22nd.
The Bears will play four games against the top 10 teams in 2013; they'll host the Packers, Ravens and Bengals while also visiting Green Bay.
In the community: Bears receiver Earl Bennett will appear at Timber Ridge Middle School in Plainfield and Gregory Math & Science Elementary Academy in Chicago Thursday to speak to students about the importance of eating healthy and being active for 60 minutes a day.
Bennett will also lead the children through physical fitness activities at the two schools, which won the visits for their success in Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program that encourages students to eat healthy, be active and implement positive changes.
Moore to Panthers: Former Bears nickel back D.J. Moore announced via his Twitter account Tuesday that he has signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.
After being chosen by the Bears in fourth round of the 2009 draft, Moore played in 45 games with three starts. He recorded 133 tackles, one sack, 10 interceptions (returning two for touchdowns) 17 pass breakups, one forced fumble, four tackles-for-loss and eight special-teams tackles.
New rules: NFL owners passed two minor rules at their league meetings Tuesday in Arizona designed to improve player safety.
The first outlaws peel-back or chop blocks in the tackle box like the one that led to Texans linebacker Brian Cushing suffering a season-ending knee injury last season. The second prevents defensive teams from overloading one side of the line with more than six players or pushing teammates through gaps on extra point and field goal attempts.
Owners have yet to vote on a controversial proposed rule that would penalize ballcarriers 15 yards for initiating forcible contact by delivering a blow to a tackler with the crown of their helmets outside the tackle box.
