53-Man Roster Projection

[adam]

Here is the 53-Man projection from Windy City GridIron. I feel like TE and OL are really thin (with Coward hurting). I don't know if Sowell makes it over someone like Bunting.

OFFENSE (25)
Quarterback (2): Mitchell Trubisky, Chase Daniel

Running back (5): Tarik Cohen, David Montgomery, Mike Davis, Kerrith Whyte Jr., Ryan Nall

Wide receiver (6): Allen Robinson II, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, Javon Wims, Riley Ridley, Cordarrelle Patterson

Tight ends (4): Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen, Ben Braunecker, Bradley Sowell

Offensive line (8): Charles Leno Jr., Cody Whitehair, James Daniels, Kyle Long, Bobby Massie, Ted Larsen, Alex Bars, Rashaad Coward

DEFENSE (25)
Defensive line (5): Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris, Nick Williams

Outside linebacker (5): Khalil Mack, Leonard Floyd, Aaron Lynch, Isaiah Irving, James Vaughters

Inside linebacker (5): Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Nick Kwiatkoski, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Kevin Pierre-Louis

Cornerback (5): Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Buster Skrine, Duke Shelley, Kevin Toliver II

Safety (5): Eddie Jackson, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Deon Bush, Sherrick McManis, DeAndre Houston-Carson

SPECIALISTS (3)
Punter: Patrick O’Donnell

Kicker: Eddy Pineiro

Long snapper: Patrick Scales

Practice squad: Tyler Bray (QB), Kylie Fitts (OLB), John Franklin III (CB), Ian Bunting (TE), Dax Raymond (TE), Josh Woods (ILB), Sam Mustipher (OL), Jordan Williams-Lambert (WR), Clifton Duck (CB), Abdullah Anderson (DL)

Injured reserve: Stephen Denmark (DB)

 

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/8/25/20813289/chicago-bears-53-man-roster-prediction-practice-squad-chase-daniel-ryan-nall-sowell-shaheen-coward

[AZ54]

I see no reason to keep Whyte on the roster.  He hasn't done anything IMO.  He runs with little vision, little wiggle, and little power.   I definitely want to see him on the practice squad because next year he might be in a place to take Patterson's spot as KR, part-time RB, part-time WR.   Although watching him run into the back of his blockers over and over makes me doubtful that will change next year.  

I'd put Bunting on the 53 ahead of Braunecker.  He has shown enough for me to think he can become a primary backup for Trey Burton, something Braunecker will never be able to do (that was obvious in the Eagles game last year).  No other TE on the roster has shown anything close to what Burton and Bunting can do on intermediate routes down the field.    I think Sowell makes it just because he's a coaches project, two he has the proven work ethic to know he's likely to improve, and lastly Shaheen is no sure thing and there's no other good blocking TE on the roster.   Sowell hasn't been good at blocking but see that previous sentence about his work ethic.  

I can't figure out anything at ILB behind the starters.  Kwit finally showed up last game like a man fighting for a job, and it was a welcome sight.  I suspect that's enough (along with Iggy not doing well) for him to stick.  Iggy I think is headed to the PS.  He has one fatal flaw for an ILB: he doesn't like head on contact.  He's always trying to tackle from the side and that softness ends up with him often appearing out of position.  He's been ok in coverage but so has Josh Woods.   Woods has really started to shine the more snaps he gets and he's shown some aggressiveness making tackles which I think bodes well for his future.  I"m taking Woods over Iggy.   

With the lack of talent at OLB I could see us keeping 5 ILBs for special teams purposes.  In that case I can see KPL making the 53.   He's shown good hustle and speed despite some bad coverage lapses.   That spot could also go to Braunecker.  

 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

35 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

I'd put Bunting on the 53 ahead of Braunecker.  He has shown enough for me to think he can become a primary backup for Trey Burton, something Braunecker will never be able to do (that was obvious in the Eagles game last year).  No other TE on the roster has shown anything close to what Burton and Bunting can do on intermediate routes down the field.    I think Sowell makes it just because he's a coaches project, two he has the proven work ethic to know he's likely to improve, and lastly Shaheen is no sure thing and there's no other good blocking TE on the roster. 

Was just going to say the same thing...or close to it.  I don’t see Shaheen making the 53 personally.  He really hasn’t shown he belongs...at all.  I think the Frankenstein’s Monster that is Sowell will advance because of the points AZ made as will Bunting due to his surprising emergence.  

[BearFan PHX]

I agree with what's been written here, and I want to add that Kwitkowski plays with a LOT of heart, but he just isn't fast enough. The reason that he "showed up" against Indy is that they didn't game plan against him. Run a few drag routes, and he is easily exposed.

I dunno if any of the other backup ILBs are really any better at this point, but I do like what I've seen from Woods.

Not saying Kwit doesn't make the roster, but he is still a liability.

I think Bullard makes the team and Whyte goes on the PS.

[AZ54]

On 8/26/2019 at 7:45 PM, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Was just going to say the same thing...or close to it.  I don’t see Shaheen making the 53 personally.  He really hasn’t shown he belongs...at all.  I think the Frankenstein’s Monster that is Sowell will advance because of the points AZ made as will Bunting due to his surprising emergence.  

Nagy wants a good blocking TE and at least in that aspect Shaheen is ok.  He's better than what we've seen from Sowell this preseason and he also has good hands which makes him a strong redzone threat.  He's just not nimble enough to really threaten a lot of the field.  There is no benefit I can see to cut him unless they suddenly find a better replacement through the waiver wire.  That's not likely at this time of year.  

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2019/8/27/20835754/bears-adam-shaheen-tight-end-eager-to-prove-himself

“I look at the glass [as] half-full, and I always try to give everybody the benefit of the doubt,” Nagy said. “From what I’ve seen in practice, where he’s at, I feel like he’s in a good spot. I don’t feel like we’re in a spot where we have to worry that he can’t help us.”

[BearFan2000]

On 8/26/2019 at 10:00 PM, AZ54 said:

I see no reason to keep Whyte on the roster.  He hasn't done anything IMO.  He runs with little vision, little wiggle, and little power.   I definitely want to see him on the practice squad because next year he might be in a place to take Patterson's spot as KR, part-time RB, part-time WR.   Although watching him run into the back of his blockers over and over makes me doubtful that will change next year.  

I'd put Bunting on the 53 ahead of Braunecker.  He has shown enough for me to think he can become a primary backup for Trey Burton, something Braunecker will never be able to do (that was obvious in the Eagles game last year).  No other TE on the roster has shown anything close to what Burton and Bunting can do on intermediate routes down the field.    I think Sowell makes it just because he's a coaches project, two he has the proven work ethic to know he's likely to improve, and lastly Shaheen is no sure thing and there's no other good blocking TE on the roster.   Sowell hasn't been good at blocking but see that previous sentence about his work ethic.  

I can't figure out anything at ILB behind the starters.  Kwit finally showed up last game like a man fighting for a job, and it was a welcome sight.  I suspect that's enough (along with Iggy not doing well) for him to stick.  Iggy I think is headed to the PS.  He has one fatal flaw for an ILB: he doesn't like head on contact.  He's always trying to tackle from the side and that softness ends up with him often appearing out of position.  He's been ok in coverage but so has Josh Woods.   Woods has really started to shine the more snaps he gets and he's shown some aggressiveness making tackles which I think bodes well for his future.  I"m taking Woods over Iggy.   

With the lack of talent at OLB I could see us keeping 5 ILBs for special teams purposes.  In that case I can see KPL making the 53.   He's shown good hustle and speed despite some bad coverage lapses.   That spot could also go to Braunecker.  

 

Agree on Whyte, he's shown little that makes me feel like could even grow into a role.  He doesn't have great vision, or determination.  He looks indecisive in the backfield which time is precious and he waits to long to make a decision.  Patience is a a virtue for a back, but overthinking and dancing will get you nowhere unless your name is Barry Sanders.  I'd keep Montgomery, Davis, Cohen, and Nall.  If we keep Whyte I'd rather it be on the practice squad.  

Shaheen from our perspective has shown little to justify continuing to invest in him.  He may be looking fine in practice, but you don't keep guys cause they are practice studs, you keep guys cause they can contribute on game day and thus far Shaheen has contributed little on game day.  I like what I've seen from Bunting he passes the eye test to me, he looks natural, has good hands.  I can see Sowell sticking due to his work ethic and he has potential.  Pretty sad when I feel better about a converted lineman in Sowell then I do Shaheen who's "natural" position is TE.  Braunecker will probably make the 53.  The TE waters on our roster are more murky.  

[adam]

I would be shocked if Shaheen doesn't make the roster. I think Whyte and Nall have a shot because they both are ST'ers. Whyte can return kicks and is an upgrade over Mizzell/Cunningham. Nall is also a good STer and pass blocker and catcher, so you don't lose much when he is on the field. Whyte replaces Mizzell and Nall replaces Cunningham.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

17 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Nagy wants a good blocking TE and at least in that aspect Shaheen is ok.  He's better than what we've seen from Sowell this preseason and he also has good hands which makes him a strong redzone threat.

So you think a converted OLman is not as good at blocking as a Shaheen?  We haven't seen much from either Sowell and probably less from Shaheen this preseason to really determine who is better at catching and/or blocking.  Nagy has a propensity to not use his starters all that much during this time of year (one of my only beefs with him when it comes to Trubisky learning the offense...but I digress).  

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Hate to say it, but Shaheen will not be cut. Traded maybe, but the Bears will not give up on a player coming into year 3.  Shaheen was raw and the Bears knew it would take him time to adjust.  It takes 3 years for some guys to come around, look up Gabriel on google saying this.  It should be archived from interviews on 670 the score.  If he doesn't come around after the year, then they may cut the loss.  Bullard was in the same boat, he might not make it this time if they feel a younger player has more upside.  The Bears have so much versatility that playing a big double TE front with Montegomery will pay dividends once the run is established early on.

[AZ54]

8 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

So you think a converted OLman is not as good at blocking as a Shaheen?  We haven't seen much from either Sowell and probably less from Shaheen this preseason to really determine who is better at catching and/or blocking.  Nagy has a propensity to not use his starters all that much during this time of year (one of my only beefs with him when it comes to Trubisky learning the offense...but I digress).  

Have you watched all the highlights of Sowell missing blocks?  Even Nagy has admitted he's struggling with the position change.