NEWSLETTER
There are just four sleeps until the Bears host the Dolphins in the first preseason game of the year, which means it’s about time we start getting a better feel for the roster. And in a stroke of good timing, Chicago’s football team unleashed its first unofficial depth chart.
BEHOLD!
Quarterback
1) Andy Dalton
2) Justin Fields (rookie)
3) Nick Foles
Notes: Sorry, friends. Justin Fields remains QB1-of-the-future as long as Andy Dalton stays as QB1 without caveats.
Running back
1) David Montgomery
2) Damien Williams
3) Khalil Herbert (rookie)
Also: Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce, CJ Marable (rookie)
Injured/PUP List: Tarik Cohen
Wide Receiver #1
1) Allen Robinson II
2) Chris Lacy
3) Justin Hardy
4) Dazz Newsome (rookie)
Wide Receiver #2
1) Darnell Mooney
2) Damiere Byrd
3) Rodney Adams
4) Jon’Vea Johnson
Wide Receiver #3
1) Marquise Goodwin
2) Riley Ridley
3) Javon Wims
Also: Jester Weah, Thomas Ives
Notes: Last year, we designated WR3 as the slot guy. But I’m not so certain that Chicago will have one player designated to that spot, as versatility figures to be on the menu when the offense rolls out onto the field.
Tight end
1) Cole Kmet
2) Jimmy Graham
3) Jesse James
Also: J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, Scooter Harrington (rookie)
Notes: It is nice not having to write about a dozen tight ends fighting over a handful of roster spots.
Left tackle
1) Elijah Wilkinson
2) Teven Jenkins (rookie)
3) Larry Borom (rookie)
4) Badara Traore
Notes: Seeing Larry Borom on the left side is a bit of a surprise. A right tackle by trade, the fifth-round pick out of Missouri seems to be making a strong impression at the outset. We’ll be watching his development with great interest.
Left guard
1) Cody Whitehair
2) Arlington Hambright
3) Daurean Parker
Center
1) Sam Mustipher
2) Dieter Eiselen
3) Adam Redmond
Right guard
1) James Daniels
2) Alex Bars
Right tackle
1) Lachavious Simmons
2) Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Injured/PUP: Germain Ifedi
Notes: This group looks different without having Charles Leno Jr. reliably at left tackle. Moreover, this group would feature two new starting tackles, two players who began last season in different starting roles, and a center who was on the practice squad to start last year. Get back to me when everyone is healthy, then I’ll provide a better assessment of this group.
Defensive tackle
1) Akiem Hicks
2) Angelo Blackson
3) LaCale London
Defensive end
1) Bilal Nichols
2) Mario Edwards Jr.
3) Daniel Archibong
Nose tackle
1) Khyiris Tonga (rookie)
2) Mike Pennel
Unavailable/COVID-19 List: Eddie Goldman
Notes: The biggest surprise on the depth chart is arguably the most pleasant. Seeing rookie seventh-round pick Khyiris Tonga at the top of the nose tackle pile says something about how much the Bears like what they are seeing to this point. To be clear, we’re talking about a few weeks of camp practices. But to get to this point – even after considering Goldman’s absence – speaks volumes about the progress this rookie has made.
Edge rusher #1
1) Khalil Mack
2) Trevis Gipson
3) James Vaughters
4) Charles Snowden (rookie)
Edge rusher #2
1) Robert Quinn
2) Jeremiah Attaochu
3) Ledarius Mack
4) Sam Kamara
Notes: You should’ve seen the look on my face when I saw Kamara on the Bears roster, only to realize it wasn’t Alvin.
Inside linebacker #1
1) Roquan Smith
2) Joel Iyiegbuniwe
3) Alec Ogletree
4) Austin Calitro
Inside linebacker #2
1) Danny Trevathan
2) Christian Jones
3) Josh Woods
4) Caleb Johnson
Notes: If Ogletree keeps up his rapid pace of practice interceptions, he’ll be ILB2 in a matter of days (if not hours).
Cornerback #1
1) Jaylon Johnson
2) Artie Burns
3) Thomas Graham Jr. (rookie)
4) Tre Roberson
Cornerback #2
1) Kindle Vildor
2) Desmond Trufant
3) Duke Shelley
Also: Xavier Crawford, Dionte Ruffin
Notes: Putting Kindle Vildor ahead of free agent signing Desmond Trufant feels like a sign of faith in the Bears’ fifth-round 2020 pick. Vildor is credited with one regular-season start and one start in the postseason. So this is quite a leap of faith, as well as a sign of development.
Safety #1
1) Eddie Jackson
2) Deon Bush
3) Marqui Christian
4) Jordan Lucas
Safety #2
1) Tashaun Gipson
2) DeAndre Houston-Carson
3) Teez Tabor
4) Michael Joseph
Notes: Seeing Teez Tabor, a cornerback by trade and second-round pick by the Lions in 2017, catches my eye. Tabor was a high-profile cornerback prospect who never hit his stride in Detroit. Clearly, the think tank at Halas Hall believes a position switch could unlock some things from a former top prospect. I’ll be curious to follow along here.
Special teams
• Kicker: Cairo Santos, Brian Johnson
• Long snapper: Patrick Scales
• Punter, Holder: Pat O’Donnell
Kick returner
1) Khalil Herbert (rookie)
2) Chris Lacy
3) Rodney Adams
4) Jon’Vea Johnson
Punt returner
1) Damiere Byrd
2) Darnell Mooney
3) Dazz Newsome (rookie)
4) C.J. Marable (rookie)
Notes: I know Mooney has been fielding punts at practice, as I’ve seen it with my own eyes at training camp. But because of his importance to the offense, I didn’t imagine the Bears would put him on the depth chart at No. 2. Considering Mooney’s speed and ability to make tacklers miss, it would make sense that he fits into that role. It’s just that I’m not all that comfortable seeing a starting receiver in that spot. This would be a nice place for rookie Dazz Newsome to make a splash.
