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QB: Trubisky, Daniel, Bray [IR]
The top 2 are obvious. I think the Bears will keep Bray through camp and to mop up pre-season 4 and then conveniently he will get injured in that 4th pre-season game before being placed on IR at his full salary and sticking around at Halas Hall to help out the down roster players on offense. Bray's knowledge of the system has enough value that paying him 795k is a steal at twice the price. The down roster RBs, WRs, and TEs will be working with a QB that knows the system all through camp and then after camp when he is put on IR they will continue to have him around, although not on the field. If an emergency comes up and you need a QB then you simply bring him off IR and he is the backup.
RB: Howard, Cohen, Cunningham, Nall
My guess is that they will keep 4 RBs considering Cunningham and Nall should be core special teamers. Howard, Cohen and Cunningham are locks in my world. Cunningham can run the ball and is the 2nd best receiver in the group, which makes him an ideal backup for Howard and Cohen. The final spot seems to be a battle between Mizzel and Nall. Not getting to see much of Mizzel makes this difficult, but strictly from a size/athletic position Nall seems better equipped to step in if Howard is injured in short yardage or between the tackle situations. Add in the increased special teams value for Nall at 6'2" 232lbs, and the fact that he can possibly play FB and I think he offers more bottom of the roster versatility.
WR: Robinson, Miller, Gabriel, Fowler, Wims, White
I think that with the total gong show that the WR position has been under Ryan Pace that the Bears need to keep 6 on the roster and ensure the maximum number of options and depth possible. The top 3 are obvious locks and arguably the best WR core we have seen 1-3 in a decade. After that there are some interesting decisions. White's money is guaranteed and he will be on the team until he goes on IR. That leaves 2 spots. Fowler is a bigger player, has flashed as a WR, and he is at least the equal to Bellamy on special teams. I think he makes it as the WR designated for special teams. I think Wims was a very nice value in the 7th round and offers a downfield threat that can win contested catches. I do not see them letting him go and exposing him to waivers. Based on the improved depth this should be the last season that we need to endure Josh Bellamy.
TE: Burton, Shaheen, Sims, Brown
This is a position where I have had the most debate about whether I see them carrying 3-4 players. There is a decent amount of young talent at this position and guys that can contribute so I think they find a way to keep Brown. I wish they had let Sims option pass and cut him, but alas he will be on the team. Brown to me has flashed enough as a receiving threat that can be split out that he should be kept. He can fill the Burton role if he is injured, a role that Shaheen and Sims are not really physically capable of filling. Sims provides depth at the inline position behind Shaheen.
LT: Leno, Sowell
LG: Daniels, Morgan
C: Whitehair, Kush
RG: Long
RT: Massie, Watford
Normally the Bears have carried 8 OLmen, I think this is a year where we could see them carry 9 to ensure that they do not run out of players and that they are covered for Long not coming back to full speed. Sowell got almost 1 million guaranteed, which tells me he is likely the swing OT. I do not think he is very good, but he has multiple starts in the league at LT and that experience is very valuable. Watford has starts at RT and RG and is a veteran that can be leaned on if younger players are not ready, so I think that he will make the team or at least have an inside track. Kush can play all over the interior line and looked good 2 years ago when he started. Morgan is a bit of a wildcard, we didn't see much last season, but he is a 5th round pick who we should see what Hiestand can do with. I think that Kush and Sowell will be the active backups on game day and that Watford/Kush would compete at RG if Kyle Long is not prepared to play. Watford was running with the 1s at mini camp, which tells me that Grasu is not in the plans.
25 Offensive Players
The top 2 are obvious. I think the Bears will keep Bray through camp and to mop up pre-season 4 and then conveniently he will get injured in that 4th pre-season game before being placed on IR at his full salary and sticking around at Halas Hall to help out the down roster players on offense. Bray's knowledge of the system has enough value that paying him 795k is a steal at twice the price. The down roster RBs, WRs, and TEs will be working with a QB that knows the system all through camp and then after camp when he is put on IR they will continue to have him around, although not on the field. If an emergency comes up and you need a QB then you simply bring him off IR and he is the backup.
RB: Howard, Cohen, Cunningham, Nall
My guess is that they will keep 4 RBs considering Cunningham and Nall should be core special teamers. Howard, Cohen and Cunningham are locks in my world. Cunningham can run the ball and is the 2nd best receiver in the group, which makes him an ideal backup for Howard and Cohen. The final spot seems to be a battle between Mizzel and Nall. Not getting to see much of Mizzel makes this difficult, but strictly from a size/athletic position Nall seems better equipped to step in if Howard is injured in short yardage or between the tackle situations. Add in the increased special teams value for Nall at 6'2" 232lbs, and the fact that he can possibly play FB and I think he offers more bottom of the roster versatility.
WR: Robinson, Miller, Gabriel, Fowler, Wims, White
I think that with the total gong show that the WR position has been under Ryan Pace that the Bears need to keep 6 on the roster and ensure the maximum number of options and depth possible. The top 3 are obvious locks and arguably the best WR core we have seen 1-3 in a decade. After that there are some interesting decisions. White's money is guaranteed and he will be on the team until he goes on IR. That leaves 2 spots. Fowler is a bigger player, has flashed as a WR, and he is at least the equal to Bellamy on special teams. I think he makes it as the WR designated for special teams. I think Wims was a very nice value in the 7th round and offers a downfield threat that can win contested catches. I do not see them letting him go and exposing him to waivers. Based on the improved depth this should be the last season that we need to endure Josh Bellamy.
TE: Burton, Shaheen, Sims, Brown
This is a position where I have had the most debate about whether I see them carrying 3-4 players. There is a decent amount of young talent at this position and guys that can contribute so I think they find a way to keep Brown. I wish they had let Sims option pass and cut him, but alas he will be on the team. Brown to me has flashed enough as a receiving threat that can be split out that he should be kept. He can fill the Burton role if he is injured, a role that Shaheen and Sims are not really physically capable of filling. Sims provides depth at the inline position behind Shaheen.
LT: Leno, Sowell
LG: Daniels, Morgan
C: Whitehair, Kush
RG: Long
RT: Massie, Watford
Normally the Bears have carried 8 OLmen, I think this is a year where we could see them carry 9 to ensure that they do not run out of players and that they are covered for Long not coming back to full speed. Sowell got almost 1 million guaranteed, which tells me he is likely the swing OT. I do not think he is very good, but he has multiple starts in the league at LT and that experience is very valuable. Watford has starts at RT and RG and is a veteran that can be leaned on if younger players are not ready, so I think that he will make the team or at least have an inside track. Kush can play all over the interior line and looked good 2 years ago when he started. Morgan is a bit of a wildcard, we didn't see much last season, but he is a 5th round pick who we should see what Hiestand can do with. I think that Kush and Sowell will be the active backups on game day and that Watford/Kush would compete at RG if Kyle Long is not prepared to play. Watford was running with the 1s at mini camp, which tells me that Grasu is not in the plans.
25 Offensive Players
