Coaches preach the importance of competition in training camp, and while there will be some heated battles for roster spots, the 2019 Bears are deep, and return most of their starters from a 12-4 season.
The injury luck is unlikely to continue, which means some of those players who only just make the roster will have to be counted on at some point. Playing the salary-cap game, the more players on rookie contracts who excel and earn roster spots, the better.
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We got a chance to watch the first practices of this year’s group in three OTAs and three minicamp practices — six of the team’s 13 allotted spring practices. After going through those notes, and knowing what we do about the depth chart, here’s our early projection of a 53-man roster to help set up the training-camp battles to come in Bourbonnais beginning next month.
Quarterback
Adam Jahns: This one is easy. It’s Mitch Trubisky and Chase Daniel. I expect Trubisky to be significantly better this season. Daniel, of course, is here to help make that happen. And, as we saw last year, he’s a solid backup option should Trubisky get injured and miss some games. The Bears have too many tough decisions elsewhere on the roster to keep Tyler Bray.
Kevin Fishbain: It sometimes bums me out the Bears don’t bring in some undrafted rookie to bring a little intrigue to the position. Even if the guy is a clear No. 3 or practice-squad arm, it’d be entertaining to have another QB to watch. Though, I guess that’s because they finally have stability at the position, which is a good thing. Remember the musical chairs of Jay Cutler backups? It’s only the second year of Chase Daniel, but I imagine the franchise would be fine keeping him after 2019, at least until they need to pay Trubisky. Two QBs it is.
QBs (2): Mitch Trubisky, Chase Daniel
Running back
Fishbain: This is the most revamped position on offense with potentially three new players on the roster. Two of those three are locks — Mike Davis and David Montgomery — to join the incumbent, Tarik Cohen. We liked what we saw from Montgomery this spring, and I’m very curious to see what Davis looks like in pads and how he’ll be used. Without Benny Cunningham, and with Taquan Mizzell moving to WR, the Bears need a fourth running back for special teams. Kerrith Whyte Jr. vs. Ryan Nall, right? Do you go with the speed (and draft pick cachet) of Whyte, or the experience and fullback size of Nall? Or neither?
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Jahns: This is where competitions at other positions come in. Do the Bears need Whyte at kick returner when they already have Cordarrelle Patterson — who is a roster lock — and Marvin Hall? Do they cut Hall? Can Whyte tackle? How about Nall? I guess we’ll find that all out in the preseason. As far as being backs, Whyte has difference-making speed, but I wonder how much Matt Nagy likes the versatility that Nall can provide. He’s a better pass-catching threat than former Bears fullback Michael Burton, who was active in eight games last season.
Fishbain: You’ve got me leaning Nall. They don’t have anyone else on the roster like him, and I think replacing Cunningham (and in some ways Burton) is more important than having another speedster who can’t help in those fullback areas on special teams or offense. The Bears don’t really need a backup to Cohen — Taylor Gabriel and Patterson can do similar things. One concern would be, if Whyte has a big preseason, can they get him to the practice squad? Nall showed flashes last August and the Bears were able to keep him stashed. I’ll leave this No. 4 RB final call to you.
Jahns: Tough call. The Bears didn’t want risk putting receiver Javon Wims through waivers last year. He was a seventh-round pick like Whyte. But right now, after the offseason program, I think Nall has the advantage.
RBs (4): Tarik Cohen, David Montgomery, Mike Davis, Ryan Nall
Wide receiver
Jahns: The Bears are no longer the team where receivers “go to die.” (Thank you Muhsin Muhammad for that quote.) Receiver is arguably the Bears’ deepest position. Let’s start with the locks: Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson and Riley Ridley. Not too shabby. Unless you can convince me otherwise, I want to add Javon Wims, too. They like him. He was on the 53-man roster all of last season. To me, the decision here is whether you keep six or seven receivers.
Fishbain: That’s a much better top five receivers than Josh Bellamy, Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright … you get the point. Here’s my question about Wims: last year, Nagy consistently dressed four receivers. He’s got more flexibility this year. But if Wims is active, what would he provide on gameday? He doesn’t play special teams. I like Wims, and I’m sure he’s much improved, but is Hall a better special-teamer should the Bears keep six?
Jahns: At this point, I don’t think Ridley or even Miller have made Wims expendable. I have Patterson over Hall at kick returner. But the Bears obviously liked him enough to sign him late in free agency. He’s had a good offseason, too. I’m leaning toward keeping seven. That sounds like too much but Patterson might also be a position-less player in Nagy’s offense. Don’t forget he’s called the Trojan.
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Fishbain: How can I forget! When making our depth chart after the draft, we did put Patterson in a gadget-like role, which should open up a spot for one Hall, but what about Emanuel Hall? Obviously having missed all of OTAs and minicamp, he’s behind. But if he is back at it for training camp and the preseason, can the Bears hide him somehow? Is it possible that he outplays Wims or Marvin Hall? He’d really be the one tough “cut” of this group (no offense to Mizzell, Tanner Gentry and Thomas Ives).
Jahns: Emanuel Hall wasn’t drafted. I like his speed and potential but he looks destined for a medical redshirt season. Get him healthy and give him time to learn.
WRs (7): Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson, Riley Ridley, Javon Wims, Marvin Hall
Tight end
Fishbain: No change from the top three from the end of last season — Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen and Ben Braunecker — but this is still a worthwhile position to monitor in camp. How will Burton respond to his offseason sports hernia surgery? Can Shaheen build off an impressive spring and, most importantly, stay healthy? Lots of intrigue behind these three, Adam, starting with former offensive tackle Bradley Sowell, who I think has a good shot considering the team’s lack of blocking prowess for the “Y” tight end. Then there’s Dax Raymond, maybe the best of the undrafted rookies we saw in OTAs. I can see the Bears keeping four here.
Jahns: I don’t really know what to think about Sowell’s position change. Such changes usually spell the end for players. But Nagy seems to genuinely like Sowell. I would view Sowell as a hybrid player. They already used him as an extra lineman and in trick plays last season. I think he makes the team. As for Raymond, it looked as if Nagy wanted to test him and Ian Bunting, another undrafted free-agent signing, in minicamp. There might be another spot for a tight end.
Fishbain: You’re onto something with Sowell’s versatility, and it could allow the Bears to keep one fewer O-lineman … spoiler alert! Raymond, Bunting, Jesper Horsted and Ellis Richardson could have their own UDFA TE mini-tournament, but I see one making the team and one going to the practice squad. Raymond would be my pick.
TEs (5): Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen, Ben Braunecker, Bradley Sowell, Dax Raymond
Offensive line
Fishbain: Well, the top seven are pretty easy, right? You’ve got your starters — let’s go left-to-right — Charles Leno Jr., Cody Whitehair, James Daniels, Kyle Long and Bobby Massie. Isn’t it crazy that Leno, Whitehair, Long and Massie are entering their fourth season together on the O-line? The top backup on the interior is Ted Larsen, and then Rashaad Coward is your backup tackle. The question here is, do the Bears keep an eighth O-lineman, or does keeping Sowell give them an emergency option? Can one of the rookies or veterans (Cornelius Lucas, T.J. Clemmings) push Coward, or be the eighth guy?
Jahns: Sowell could definitely be their emergency option. It makes sense to keep seven. There are other positions that require keeping an extra player. Every year teams have to stash linemen on their practice squads, too. One of those players could be Alex Bars, the UDFA signing from Notre Dame. Line coach Harry Hiestand said he was surprised he wasn’t drafted but we know he wasn’t because of his knee injury. Either way, I liked his signing from the start. He was pro material before his injury.
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Fishbain: Bars and his Notre Dame teammate Sam Mustipher are top practice-squad options, along with former Ohio OG/OT Joe Lowery and Utah State OT Marquez Tucker, but for the 53-man roster, it’s hard to see a UDFA cracking the top seven.
Jahns: Exactly. They can be “saved” for later. With Sowell on the team, I think keeping seven is the best option. Larsen and Coward are the primary reserves.
OL (7): Charles Leno Jr., Cody Whitehair, James Daniels, Kyle Long, Bobby Massie, Ted Larsen, Rashaad Coward
Jahns: So, Kevin, that leaves us with 25 spots left to fill on defense. Not too bad. Overall, Patterson and Sowell provide some unique positional flexibility. Let’s see how things shake out defensively.
Fishbain: In past seasons, we’ve seen positions on offense completely overhauled. There’s a little bit of that at running back and new faces at receiver, but otherwise this is an offense that looks a lot similar, and should be much better. Our upcoming defensive projection shouldn’t be too difficult, but there are roster spots up for grabs at outside linebacker and cornerback. And then of course, we’ll get to special teams…
Defensive line
Jahns: I think this is the Bears’ strongest position defensively. Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman — though he never gets the attention — are a special tandem. The Bears found a steal in the fifth round in Bilal Nichols, too. Roy Robertson-Harris also continues to get better with every season. That’s a solid top four up front. After them, I think Jonathan Bullard is on the bubble. He’s a third-round pick but the Bears won’t be afraid to cut him.
Fishbain: With Nichols and Robertson-Harris surpassing Bullard, it’s no longer a “make or break” offseason for him. I think we’ve seen enough in three seasons to know he isn’t the pass-rushing threat the Bears were hoping for, but he’s certainly serviceable as a player who can rotate in for a few snaps a game. They brought back veteran Nick Williams, who was rarely active last season but is respected in the room. They kept six last season, and all six are back. Do they keep six again? There are a few UDFAs here (Daryle Banfield, Jalen Dalton and Jonathan Harris, the most intriguing of the trio) and Abdullah Anderson returns after a year on the practice squad, but it’s hard to see any of those players surpassing Bullard and/or Williams.
Jahns: I’ve heard good things about Harris, but is he ready to supplant Bullard? I have to see more in camp and the preseason. Bullard is serviceable. That’s a great way to put it right now. Maybe, his bubble status will result in better play. He’s in but I’m only keeping five up front right now. Other positions need more help.
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DL (5): Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jonathan Bullard
Outside linebacker
Jahns: I expect Khalil Mack to be even better this year. Terrell Suggs was the NFL’s defensive player of the year under Chuck Pagano and Ted Monachino when all three were with the Ravens. That’s the standard that they’ll hold Mack to, starting this season. Leonard Floyd also looks poised to have a better year. Monachino raved about his athleticism and skill set when he met with us during OTAs. But beyond them, there are question marks.
Fishbain: Stay tuned for a story I’ll have this summer that has some math to highlight your point about Mack. A full offseason of him in the program? It’ll be fun to watch. As will having Floyd finally healthy. I’d like to think Aaron Lynch is a lock as your No. 3, but considering his durability issues, you need some depth there. Isaiah Irving is in his third year and has shown flashes. I think what helps him is his experience on special teams. We really didn’t see much of anything from Kylie Fitts after the preseason. Can UDFAs Chuck Harris or Mathieu Betts or maybe former CFL player James Vaughters push for a spot? There is such a drop-off after the top two here. This is a position that could get some help with a Labor Day waiver claim if the younger players don’t step up in camp.
Jahns: I agree with your waiver-wire idea. In general, the Bears would like more pass-rush help. Mack and Floyd are a great duo, but a rotation could help everyone. Injuries happen, too. Just look at Lynch last season. I feel like this will be a fluid position all year with reserves coming and going from the practice squad. The Bears should be able to stash away Betts and Harris on it, too. Fitts and Irving will start out on my roster over them.
OLB (5): Khalil Mack, Leonard Floyd, Aaron Lynch, Isaiah Irving, Kylie Fitts
Inside linebacker
Jahns: I don’t think enough people are talking about Roquan Smith. He led the NFL’s best defense in tackles last year as a rookie — and that’s despite missing the Bourbonnais portion of training camp and not playing in the preseason because of his contract impasse. He changed the defense, too, just like Mack. He’ll be even better in 2019, forming a great tandem with Danny Trevathan. Nick Kwiatkoski is a capable reserve and special-teamer. The battle for a roster spot or two is after those three.
Fishbain: Smith could certainly be a Pro Bowler this season. He has all the tools to do it, not to mention the players around him to help. Trevathan too has Pro Bowl potential coming off his best — and healthiest — season as a Bear. After Kwiatkoski, it’s Joel Iyiegbuniwe and/or Josh Woods. Among training camp “guys to watch,” I’d include Woods, who missed his rookie season with an injury. Do we keep four or five here? Iggy has some draft-pick cachet, and the Bears also have to think about 2020 and beyond with Trevathan and Kwit in contract years.
Jahns: I feel Woods is in every Club Dub video or picture shared by the Bears. This could be the year that he joins the real party on the field, where he can help on special teams. And one more thought on Smith. Forget the Pro Bowl. Think of him as an All-Pro.
ILB (5): Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Nick Kwiatkoski, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Josh Woods
Cornerback
Jahns: I’m really interested in watching Kyle Fuller this season. He was fantastic in 2018. But can he repeat it? Can he be an All-Pro again? His first few seasons included injuries and fluctuations in his play. His relationship with Vic Fangio also helped. Will Chuck Pagano click with him, too? At cornerback, there are four locks: Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Buster Skrine and Duke Shelley.
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Fishbain: Fuller has such good work ethic and film habits that I’m not concerned about him being a good corner, but interceptions can fluctuate. That’s a high bar to reach. Amukamara stayed mostly healthy last season, which is good, and I think Skrine will be solid at nickel. Shelley may have already earned a spot, and the coaches seem high on what Kevin Toliver has done this spring as the top backup on the outside. No. 6 would be Sherrick McManis, who has dabbled at safety, too, and is needed for special teams. That leaves Stephen Denmark for the practice squad.
Jahns: Toliver definitely appears to have claimed the top backup spot behind Fuller and Amukamara. I wonder how long it will take Shelley to push Skrine for playing time this season. The sixth-round pick was impressive during the offseason program. Shelley also strikes me as a chip-on-his-shoulder type. The Bears need McManis, especially after saying goodbye to Josh Bellamy and Benny Cunningham. He’s by far the Bears’ best player on special teams.
CBs (6): Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Buster Skrine, Duke Shelley, Kevin Toliver, Sherrick McManis.
Safeties
Fishbain: We’ve got room for four safeties, which should be pretty easy. Eddie Jackson may not score multiple touchdowns again, but there’s no reason to think he can’t keep playing at an All-Pro level. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will be motivated on his one-year deal and we’re all interested to see how the former Alabama safeties work together. Then you’ve got fourth-year pros Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson, keeping the 2016 draft class alive. Am I missing anyone here?
Jahns: That’s it. There is really not much to say. Are you tired of the Clinton-Dix/Adrian Amos Jr. comparisons yet? I am. Different players in completely different defenses and with different expectations, too. Here’s my two cents: the Bears got a good player in Clinton-Dix at a better price than Amos’ deal with the Packers. Week 1 should be fun, though.
S (4): Eddie Jackson, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson
Special teams
Fishbain: For most teams, this is the easiest one. Your kicker, punter and long snapper positions aren’t meant to be TBD late into the summer, but this is the 2019 Bears and the most talked-about job opening in town. I’m fine making our PK spot a mystery to go along with Pat O’Donnell and Patrick Scales. No offense to Eddy Pineiro and Elliott Fry, but I still think the Week 1 kicker is on someone else’s roster.
Jahns: You mean, Robbie Gould?
Fishbain: Wouldn’t that be something? More likely it’s someone we haven’t heard of, unless you’re a kicker aficionado.
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Jahns: Well, he had to be mentioned. Without a deal with the 49ers, he’s the elephant in the room. The last thing the Bears want to have is a revolving door at kicker. This is a Super Bowl-worthy roster. The defense is loaded again, and the offense appears ready to take off with Nagy and Trubisky. But kicker obviously remains a concern.
Fishbain: It is. And if Pineiro or Fry make the 53-man roster, that’s not going to make Bears fans feel much better.
ST (3): Pat O’Donnell, Patrick Scales, kicker-to-be-named-later
(Top photo: Robin Alam / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)