Chicago Bears 53 man roster prediction Take 2

[Admin]

By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.

The Chicago Bears are now 0-2 in the 2016 preseason and I still don’t care about their record. The starting units both looked a bit better against the New England Patriots, but we’re still talking about practice.

The most important thing about preseason football is getting everyone back acclimated to NFL game day speed, getting comfortable playing with the new faces and coming out of it healthy.

The games are more important for the bubble players, so they can get some good film out there for all 32 teams.

There aren’t many changes from my first crack at predicting the 53 man roster, but keep in mind that injuries will play a huge factor in how the Bears open the season. They may be forced to keep a player or two that they eventually end up cutting once they get healthier. Also keep in mind that there may be a veteran or two that are cut just so the Bears aren’t forced to guarantee their contract for the 2016 season.

QUARTERBACKS (2)
Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer

I found it interesting that Connor Shaw was the 3rd QB off the bench last night and David Fales didn’t even get in the game. I still think the Bears roll the dice with just 2 QBs and try and sneak either Fales or Shaw on the practice squad.

Hoyer wasn’t very good last night, but I’d still trust him over the youngsters.

RUNNING BACKS (4)
Jeremy Langford, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jordan Howard, Ka’Deem Carey

With Carey not playing last night, I figured it would be a good opportunity for Senorise Perry to prove his worth, but he wasn’t even credited with a snap last night. He wasn’t listed with the Did Not Play list either, so his lone action could have come on a play that resulted in a penalty. Then again, the NFL may have had a clerical error.

Either way, him not making an impact is good news for Carey.

FULLBACK (1)
Paul Lasike

Last week I had the Bears going with Darrel Young, but I think Laskie may be the guy after looking at the snap counts through 2 preseason games. It isn’t a huge difference, but at the fullback position, it could be telling. Laskie has played 14 snaps on offense and 22 on special teams, with Young playing 8 on O and 15 in the 3rd phase.

The Bears still may elect to keep an H-Back playing tight end and scrap the fullback position entirely. The 3rd preseason game should give us an indication on their plans. If one or the other FBs is very active on special teams, that may be a tip that his roster spot is secure.

TIGHT ENDS (3)
Zach Miller, Tony Moeaki, Khari Lee

Moeaki and Lee received the start last night, so on that alone I have them here. I still think the Bears work the waiver wire after teams start making final cuts.

WIDE RECEIVERS (6*)
Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, Eddie Royal, Marc Mariani, Josh Bellamy, Daniel Braverman, *Marquess Wilson (PUP)

Until Eddie Royal gets back on the field, it’s hard to predict how the Bears view his 2016 chances. My gut tells me he sticks on the opening day 53 man roster, because if healthy, he’s a solid slot receiver. The severity of the injury to Deonte Thompson could land him on injured reserve, but if he’s healthy he may push Mariani or Braverman off the roster because of his kick return ability.

A quick note on why I’m keeping Braverman on my 53; I just think he’s a guy that could develop into a very good slot receiver, it just may not happen as a rookie.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Bobbie Massie (T), Kyle Long (G), Ted Larsen (C/G), Cody Whitehair (G), Charles Leno Jr. (T), Amini Silatolu (G), Mike Adams (T), Khaled Holmes (C), Garry Williams (T/G)

Yet another position the Bears will work the waiver wire to bolster. I did think Adams looked solid last night. Silatolu is getting the nod based on experience, but I think the Bears would like to see him play at some point this preseason.

I wouldn’t be that surprised if Cornelius Edison won the back up center job over the veteran Holmes.

Offensive Total - 25

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Robbie Gould (K), Patrick O’Donnell (P), Patrick Scales (LS)

Scales has been starting out long snapping and doing well, but Aaron Brewer hasn’t had any bad snaps either. The best man will win the gig.

DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, Micth Unrein, Jonathan Bullard, Cornelius Washington, Will Sutton

Sutton may have shown enough to sneak in as a 6th defensive lineman, especially with the injury history of Cornelius Washington.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)
Pernell McPhee, Willie Young, Lamarr Houston, Leonard Floyd, Sam Acho

I still think McPhee ends up off the PUP list before the season starts, but if he’s not, the Bears may keep an extra guy at a different position. If they go with 5 plus a PUP listed McPhee to open the season, that tells me his knee isn’t as close as we hope.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
Jerrell Freeman, Danny Trevathan, Jonathan Anderson, Lamin Barrow

Barrow’s special teams play could give him en edge. Rookie Nick Kwiatkoski hasn’t played, so it’s hard to gauge what value he adds to the team, perhaps he ends up on IR.

CORNERBACKS (5)
Kyle Fuller, Tracy Porter, Bryce Callahan, Deiondre' Hall, Sherick McManis

If McMannis continues playing over 50% of the special teams snaps next week, I think he sticks for that role. The injuries to Fuller and Callahan may force the Bears to keep an extra guy.

SAFETY (5)
Adrian Amos, Harold Jones-Quartey, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Demontre Hurst

I like Chris Prosinski as a special teamer, but I think Hurst sticks because he can play both safety and nickle. I haven’t seen much stand out play from DHC through two preseason games, but I think his upside keeps him around.

Defensive total - 25

What are your thoughts?

The next cut down date is Tuesday, August 30 when all teams must trim their rosters to 75 players by 3 p.m. After that, the next important date is Saturday, September 3 when teams need to be at 53 by 3 p.m.

[AlexM]

I excpect Edison and Brewer to be in regarding O, still hopefull for Ego, Prosinski could easily end up in, also not sure about backup ILB's

[riczaj01]

I thought Royal was already cut? Thompson is making this team b/c they like him as a KR and they like him as a WR. That OL roster isn't exactly promising(b/c of Larsen on there) and the depth is outright sad. I feel bad for Perry he looked really good and was likely going to beat out Carey last year and got hurt, and then Carey exploded in the season. I hope he gets picked up and sticks somewhere else.

Last DL spot seems to be between Sutton and Ego; it will likely be a decision of a good backkup DE or an average backup DE/NT. Either way someone that has some talent(if only in a 4-3) is going to get cut which is a good thing. I'd be surprised if Timu doesn't make the team. I'd be surprised if Chris P doesn't make the team also.

[AlexM]

Aug 20, 2016 11:33:48 GMT -6 riczaj01 said:

I thought Royal was already cut? Thompson is making this team b/c they like him as a KR and they like him as a WR. That OL roster isn't exactly promising(b/c of Larsen on there) and the depth is outright sad. I feel bad for Perry he looked really good and was likely going to beat out Carey last year and got hurt, and then Carey exploded in the season. I hope he gets picked up and sticks somewhere else.

Last DL spot seems to be between Sutton and Ego; it will likely be a decision of a good backkup DE or an average backup DE/NT. Either way someone that has some talent(if only in a 4-3) is going to get cut which is a good thing. I'd be surprised if Timu doesn't make the team. I'd be surprised if Chris P doesn't make the team also.

Feel the same way about Timu. No chance that Royal gets cut this year, his dead cap hit is the same as if we have him on board

[dachuckster]

Aug 20, 2016 12:59:28 GMT -6 AlexM said:

Aug 20, 2016 11:33:48 GMT -6 riczaj01 said:

I thought Royal was already cut? Thompson is making this team b/c they like him as a KR and they like him as a WR. That OL roster isn't exactly promising(b/c of Larsen on there) and the depth is outright sad. I feel bad for Perry he looked really good and was likely going to beat out Carey last year and got hurt, and then Carey exploded in the season. I hope he gets picked up and sticks somewhere else.

Last DL spot seems to be between Sutton and Ego; it will likely be a decision of a good backkup DE or an average backup DE/NT. Either way someone that has some talent(if only in a 4-3) is going to get cut which is a good thing. I'd be surprised if Timu doesn't make the team. I'd be surprised if Chris P doesn't make the team also.

Feel the same way about Timu. No chance that Royal gets cut this year, his dead cap hit is the same as if we have him on board

I'm not sure that Royal is necessarily a lock on the 53 man roster.  If the Bears feel he will not be able to contribute and another (younger and cheaper) option like Cameron Meredith (or someone else) would make more of a contribution, I can see Royal being cut, cap hit and all.  We have a lot of cap room this year and the incremental cost of keeping someone like Meredith would be pretty marginal.

Not trying to hype Meredith, just using him as an example.

[riczaj01]

I thought he was already cut, some had made it sound that way on the other site, apparently he's just still on concussion protocal, so that means he could still make the team, or get cut, or possibly be IR'd/pup'd if he cannot get healthy.

[dachuckster]

Aug 20, 2016 13:14:46 GMT -6 riczaj01 said:

I thought he was already cut, some had made it sound that way on the other site, apparently he's just still on concussion protocal, so that means he could still make the team, or get cut, or possibly be IR'd/pup'd if he cannot get healthy.

You can you determine anything there, with all the white noise of the trolling, insult swaps, etc.

[riczaj01]

Aug 20, 2016 13:24:30 GMT -6 dachuckster said:

Aug 20, 2016 13:14:46 GMT -6 riczaj01 said:

I thought he was already cut, some had made it sound that way on the other site, apparently he's just still on concussion protocal, so that means he could still make the team, or get cut, or possibly be IR'd/pup'd if he cannot get healthy.

You can you determine anything there, with all the white noise of the trolling, insult swaps, etc.

ya I should have known better.

[AlexM]

How many this year draftees will make the team?

[riczaj01]

7-8. I think you'll see a few that cannot make it or put on PS. Nick K is IR'd most likely, and at least 1 DB won't make the active roster.