The final roster prediction for the NFC North is for the Chicago Bears.
Offense- 25
Quarterback-2 Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, David Fales (PS)
The Bears added a good veteran backup and Fales is the developmental QB. Fales won’t make the roster due to other areas needed. Cutler had his best season but lost OC Adam Gase. We’ll see how new OC Dowell Loggains makes use of these QBs.
Running back- 5 Jeremy Langford, Ka’Deem Carey, Jordan Howard, Daryl Young (FB), Jacquizz Rodgers
The Bears lost Forte and are rolling with lots of young running backs. Langford should be the bell cow but the other spots are wide open.
Wide Receiver- 6 Alshon Jeffrey, Kevin White, Eddie Royal, Daniel Braverman, Joshua Bellamy, Marc Mariani, Marquess Wilson (PUP)
The Bears finally get to see what they have in Kevin White. Jeffrey is hopefully healthier and Royal is the slot option along with Braverman (7th round pick). Bellamy and Mariani got plenty of experience playing last season.
Tight End- 3 Zach Miller, Rob Houser, Khari Lee
The Bears cut veteran Tony Moeaki and hope Miller has the same magic he had with Cutler last season.
Offensive Line- 9 Charles Leno, Cody Whitehair, Ted Larsen, Kyle Long, Bobbie Massie, Mike Adams, Amini Silatolu, Khaled Holmes, Garry Williams Hronnis Grasu (IR)
The Bears are weak on the interior with the injury to Hronnis Graasu at center and retirement of Manny Ramirez. Long is versatile and Mike Adams was added to play tackle during training camp. Shelley Smith has a chance to make the roster as a backup guard as well but gets cut to keep Garry Williams at tackle.
Special teams- 3 Robbie Gould, Pat O’Donnell, Patrick Scale (LS)
The Bears have the same specialist as last season.
Defense-25
Defensive Line- 6 Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, Jonathan Bullard, Will Sutton, Ego Ferguson, Mitch Unrein
The Bears are better at defensive line after adding Hicks and Bullard. Sutton and Ferguson are experienced but move to a back-up role. Cornelius Washington was injured and gets cut or put on IR. Unrein gets the final roster spot.
Linebacker- 9 Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, Jerell Freeman, Danny Trevathan, Willie Young, Leonard Floyd, Nick Kwiatkoski, Jonathan Anderson
The Bears drop veteran Sam Acho (OLB) and Johnathan Anderson (ILB) in order to keep a 3rd QB and extra defensive linemen. The Bears have a deep rotation at OLB and much better ILBs with the additions of Freeman, Trevathan and Kwiatkoski. Christian Jones could beat out Anderson as well. Lamin Barrow has a shot to win an ILB spot with Kwiatkoski hurt (hamstring). However, McPhee is still on PUP. It would be bad news for the Bears if they have to keep McPhee on PUP to start the season.
Corner Back- 5 Kyle Fuller, Tracy Porter, Deiondre Hall, Bryce Callahan, Sherrick McManis
The Bears are very young at CB after adding Hall and Bush. They hope Porter and McManis can play better than they did in 2015. The Bears secondary is weak but could develop. Demontre Hurst and Talveze Calhoun are the last cuts. Brandon Boykin was signed to play the slot but retired. Kyle Fuller is dealing with a knee injury to watch as well.
Safety- 5 Adrian Amos, Harold Jones- Quartey, Deon Bush, Deondre Houston- Carson, Chris Prosinski
The Bears have two young safeties but Amos played well last year. Bush and Houston-Carson are rookies and Prosinski has some experience as a backup and can play special teams.
Overall
The Bears have a young roster and some depth issues on the offensive line. We’ll see if they can improve upon their 6-10 2015 campaign in the second year with John Fox. Bears too high!!!