Post by Danchat on May 28, 2018 16:20:49 GMT -6
Alright, it's time for the last of the NFC North Previews. Let's see how the Bears are doing and see if they'll be a threat in 2018.
Bears 90 Man Roster
Subtractions
G Josh Sitton
Sitton has been one of the NFL's better guards, but the Bears let him go after signing a two year deal. He's had some injury problems, but I don't understand why both the Packers and Bears let him go. He's a great run and pass blocker and he'll be a huge boost for the Dolphins.
DE/DT Mitch Unrein
Mitch might only be a part-time player, but for several seasons now he's been a reliable run stopper. The Bears will need Jonathan Bullard to step up in Unrein's absence as a starter.
K Cairo Santos
After the Chiefs surprisingly waived/IR their starting kicker, the Bears signed him and he was their kicker for two games. Santos is a solid kicker from anywhere below 50 yards, but he's only hit 7 of 13 of the 50+ kicks. They've moved on already and he'll be the Jets kicker.
LB Christian Jones
As I covered in the Lions article, Jones is an inside linebacker who played a whole lot the past two seasons due to Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevethan constantly being hurt or suspended. He's a fine backup, but the Lions seem to be priming him as a starter. It's only a hit to Chicago's depth.
QB Mike Glennon
The Bears gave Glennon way too much money to be their starter, but they clearly didn't love him as they drafted Trubisky second overall the same year. Glennon was a massive flop and was already axed after one season. He might back up Sam Bradford in Arizona... but he'll need to beat Josh Rosen, which is something I doubt he'll be able to do. He's a backup at best.
WR Kendall Wright
Wright had a major role since Meredith and White suffered injuries. He was an effective slot receiver who is a chains mover but not a game changer. He'll push Treadwell for the Vikings 3rd WR role.
OLB Pernell McPhee
McPhee is a talented pass rusher... when he's healthy, which is almost never. The Redskins will hope to keep him in ship-shape and he'll be a very good rotational player.
Other
G Tom Compton
WR Markus Wheaton
Additions
WR Allen Robinson
Robinson stepped up with Blake Bortles in 2015 and had 1400 yards and 14 TDs. After a great year, Robinson's 2016 was a step down and some accused him of lacking effort. He tore his ACL last season after making one catch. He has the potential to be a #1 receiver who can take over a game, but he'll need to recover from the ACL tear and gain some positive chemistry with Trubisky.
TE Trey Burton
Burton was a factor as a backup TE in the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl run. He has plus athleticism and has pretty good hands to boot. The Bears are giving him a bunch of money to be their primary TE, a role he hasn't played before. The pressure is on Robinson and Burton to produce.
WR Taylor Gabriel
Gabriel had a breakout 2016 season with the Falcons as a part time WR gaining 630 yards and 7 TDs (total). However, the new OC in Atlanta, Steve Sarkisian, seemed to have no idea how to use Gabriel, as he had just 427 yards and one TD. The Bears gave him $6.5M a year [over 4 years], which is a lot for a guy who hasn't been a starter before. He seems to be lined up as the #2 WR but that's a role I think he won't thrive in.
QB Chase Daniel
Any Reid branch coach seems to need to get their hands on Daniel. He's made a ton of $$$ being a backup even though he's started two games in his whole career. He's a fine backup who would probably be a game manager if forced to start games.
OLB Aaron Lynch
Lynch was, once upon a time, the 49ers best pass rusher, but the past two seasons have been filled with injuries and a suspension. He'll compete for a rotational pass rusher role.
K Cody Parkey
Parkey was given a 4 year deal worth $15M to be the Bears kicker... which was surprising, but he is coming off a season where he hit 91.3% of the Dolphins FGs. But there's a reason they didn't bring him back - Parkey was given up on during year 2 with the Eagles and the Browns gave up after one season when he hit just 80% of his attempts. He's an OK kicker who is 6 of 7 in his career on 50+ yard kicks.
G Earl Watford
Watford was a starter for the Cardinals, but his play took a tumble the past couple years. With Kyle Long's durability issues, he'll probably replace him as the primary backup guard. He's taking Tom Compton's old role.
Other
QB Tyler Bray
Bears Draft Additions
Pick 1-8: LB Roquan Smith
The Bears taking Smith was a bit of a surprise to me as I thought the Bears didn't need a run-stopping linebacker. I don't know where they intend to play him, but he makes sense as a 3-4 ILB. They already have Danny Trevethan and Nick Kwiatkoski there as solid starters, but Smith is projected to be a great linebacker. He can rush the passer as well, which is something the Bears could use more of.
Pick 2-39: G/C James Daniels
Daniels was a great value pick at the top of the second round, and he should push Hroniss Grasu for the starting C job. Daniels fell to the second round reportedly due to injury issues, but his play at Iowa is worthy of a 1st round selection. The Bears O-line will look very good on paper if he can step up as a starter.
Pick 2-51: WR Anthony Miller
This was another good pick by the Bears. With Kevin White looking like a total bust, Miller will have a chance to seize the 3rd WR job. Miller was a great receiver at Memphis, and he has the hands and the speed to go up against NFL CBs. I think it's a matter of "when" and not "if" he becomes a starter.
Pick 4-115: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
The Bears drafted another guy who looks destined for the ILB position, and I don't think that's a position of need after they already took Smith. Iyiebuniwe was a good player at Western Kentucky but he doesn't project to be an NFL starter. He'll make his money as a special teamer and backup.
Pick 5-145: DT Bilal Nichols
Chicago takes another small school (Delaware) prospect who put up impressive numbers at college. Nichols should fit the 3-4 system well as a part-time run stuffer. He probably won't make an impact as a pass rusher. I like his chances more than Iyiegbuniwe's.
Pick 6-181: OLB Kylie Fitts
He's a bit big for a 3-4 OLB (6' 4", 263 lbs) but teams like his pass rushing ability. He could not stay healthy the past two seasons at Utah and he didn't put up a lot of good tape there. This is a boom-or-bust pick - he might not be fit for the NFL, but if he stays healthy he could carve a role as a part-time pass rusher.
Pick 7-224: WR Javon Wims
Wims (6' 3" 215 lbs) broke out in 2017 as a starter at Georgia, but before that, he was starting at a community college. He's a total longshot who still needs to learn how to play WR after starting as a basketball player. Good hands and size but probably doesn't have the speed or physicality to go up against NFL CBs.
~- Overall Thoughts -~
The Bears are a question mark right now - their future relies on Trubisky's development. The good news for them is that their defense is still very good with very few holes. The offense has to improve from their awful 2017 season, but there are tools in place for them to get better. Getting away from John Fox can only help the situation. This team is poised to surprise the NFL and at the moment I'd project them to go 7-9. I don't think they're that much worse than the Lions.
Bears 90 Man Roster
Subtractions
G Josh Sitton
Sitton has been one of the NFL's better guards, but the Bears let him go after signing a two year deal. He's had some injury problems, but I don't understand why both the Packers and Bears let him go. He's a great run and pass blocker and he'll be a huge boost for the Dolphins.
DE/DT Mitch Unrein
Mitch might only be a part-time player, but for several seasons now he's been a reliable run stopper. The Bears will need Jonathan Bullard to step up in Unrein's absence as a starter.
K Cairo Santos
After the Chiefs surprisingly waived/IR their starting kicker, the Bears signed him and he was their kicker for two games. Santos is a solid kicker from anywhere below 50 yards, but he's only hit 7 of 13 of the 50+ kicks. They've moved on already and he'll be the Jets kicker.
LB Christian Jones
As I covered in the Lions article, Jones is an inside linebacker who played a whole lot the past two seasons due to Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevethan constantly being hurt or suspended. He's a fine backup, but the Lions seem to be priming him as a starter. It's only a hit to Chicago's depth.
QB Mike Glennon
The Bears gave Glennon way too much money to be their starter, but they clearly didn't love him as they drafted Trubisky second overall the same year. Glennon was a massive flop and was already axed after one season. He might back up Sam Bradford in Arizona... but he'll need to beat Josh Rosen, which is something I doubt he'll be able to do. He's a backup at best.
WR Kendall Wright
Wright had a major role since Meredith and White suffered injuries. He was an effective slot receiver who is a chains mover but not a game changer. He'll push Treadwell for the Vikings 3rd WR role.
OLB Pernell McPhee
McPhee is a talented pass rusher... when he's healthy, which is almost never. The Redskins will hope to keep him in ship-shape and he'll be a very good rotational player.
Other
G Tom Compton
WR Markus Wheaton
Additions
WR Allen Robinson
Robinson stepped up with Blake Bortles in 2015 and had 1400 yards and 14 TDs. After a great year, Robinson's 2016 was a step down and some accused him of lacking effort. He tore his ACL last season after making one catch. He has the potential to be a #1 receiver who can take over a game, but he'll need to recover from the ACL tear and gain some positive chemistry with Trubisky.
TE Trey Burton
Burton was a factor as a backup TE in the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl run. He has plus athleticism and has pretty good hands to boot. The Bears are giving him a bunch of money to be their primary TE, a role he hasn't played before. The pressure is on Robinson and Burton to produce.
WR Taylor Gabriel
Gabriel had a breakout 2016 season with the Falcons as a part time WR gaining 630 yards and 7 TDs (total). However, the new OC in Atlanta, Steve Sarkisian, seemed to have no idea how to use Gabriel, as he had just 427 yards and one TD. The Bears gave him $6.5M a year [over 4 years], which is a lot for a guy who hasn't been a starter before. He seems to be lined up as the #2 WR but that's a role I think he won't thrive in.
QB Chase Daniel
Any Reid branch coach seems to need to get their hands on Daniel. He's made a ton of $$$ being a backup even though he's started two games in his whole career. He's a fine backup who would probably be a game manager if forced to start games.
OLB Aaron Lynch
Lynch was, once upon a time, the 49ers best pass rusher, but the past two seasons have been filled with injuries and a suspension. He'll compete for a rotational pass rusher role.
K Cody Parkey
Parkey was given a 4 year deal worth $15M to be the Bears kicker... which was surprising, but he is coming off a season where he hit 91.3% of the Dolphins FGs. But there's a reason they didn't bring him back - Parkey was given up on during year 2 with the Eagles and the Browns gave up after one season when he hit just 80% of his attempts. He's an OK kicker who is 6 of 7 in his career on 50+ yard kicks.
G Earl Watford
Watford was a starter for the Cardinals, but his play took a tumble the past couple years. With Kyle Long's durability issues, he'll probably replace him as the primary backup guard. He's taking Tom Compton's old role.
Other
QB Tyler Bray
Bears Draft Additions
Pick 1-8: LB Roquan Smith
The Bears taking Smith was a bit of a surprise to me as I thought the Bears didn't need a run-stopping linebacker. I don't know where they intend to play him, but he makes sense as a 3-4 ILB. They already have Danny Trevethan and Nick Kwiatkoski there as solid starters, but Smith is projected to be a great linebacker. He can rush the passer as well, which is something the Bears could use more of.
Pick 2-39: G/C James Daniels
Daniels was a great value pick at the top of the second round, and he should push Hroniss Grasu for the starting C job. Daniels fell to the second round reportedly due to injury issues, but his play at Iowa is worthy of a 1st round selection. The Bears O-line will look very good on paper if he can step up as a starter.
Pick 2-51: WR Anthony Miller
This was another good pick by the Bears. With Kevin White looking like a total bust, Miller will have a chance to seize the 3rd WR job. Miller was a great receiver at Memphis, and he has the hands and the speed to go up against NFL CBs. I think it's a matter of "when" and not "if" he becomes a starter.
Pick 4-115: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
The Bears drafted another guy who looks destined for the ILB position, and I don't think that's a position of need after they already took Smith. Iyiebuniwe was a good player at Western Kentucky but he doesn't project to be an NFL starter. He'll make his money as a special teamer and backup.
Pick 5-145: DT Bilal Nichols
Chicago takes another small school (Delaware) prospect who put up impressive numbers at college. Nichols should fit the 3-4 system well as a part-time run stuffer. He probably won't make an impact as a pass rusher. I like his chances more than Iyiegbuniwe's.
Pick 6-181: OLB Kylie Fitts
He's a bit big for a 3-4 OLB (6' 4", 263 lbs) but teams like his pass rushing ability. He could not stay healthy the past two seasons at Utah and he didn't put up a lot of good tape there. This is a boom-or-bust pick - he might not be fit for the NFL, but if he stays healthy he could carve a role as a part-time pass rusher.
Pick 7-224: WR Javon Wims
Wims (6' 3" 215 lbs) broke out in 2017 as a starter at Georgia, but before that, he was starting at a community college. He's a total longshot who still needs to learn how to play WR after starting as a basketball player. Good hands and size but probably doesn't have the speed or physicality to go up against NFL CBs.
~- Overall Thoughts -~
The Bears are a question mark right now - their future relies on Trubisky's development. The good news for them is that their defense is still very good with very few holes. The offense has to improve from their awful 2017 season, but there are tools in place for them to get better. Getting away from John Fox can only help the situation. This team is poised to surprise the NFL and at the moment I'd project them to go 7-9. I don't think they're that much worse than the Lions.
... and neither is this Chris guy.