Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2018 7:37:55 GMT -6
Bears projected offensive depth chart after free agency
Matt Eurich - Mar 20, 3:45 PM
The Chicago Bears' quest to become more relevant on offense in 2018 is already noticeable. The team has added a new head coach in Matt Nagy who is bringing a proven NFL offense with him. In addition to Nagy's addition, Chicago was one of the most active teams at the start of free agency. The team can now boast new wide receivers in Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, as well as a new tight end in Trey Burton.
The Bears are far from completing their overhaul this offseason, but with the NFL Draft looming just ahead, it is never too early to project what the team's depth chart on offense currently looks like. Below we offer up our take on what the depth chart currently looks like on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback
1.) Mitch Trubisky
2.) Chase Daniel
3.) Tyler Bray
This position has seen a major overhaul in the backup department. Gone are Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez and in are Daniel and Bray. Both of the new quarterbacks have experience with this system and Nagy and will be terrific references for Trubisky in his second season.
Running Back
1.) Jordan Howard
2.) Tarik Cohen
3.) Taquan Mizzell
No surprises at the running back position. Howard figures to still be the team's workhorse, while Cohen should see his role expanded in a variety of different ways. Mizzell is an intriguing option who saw very little playing time last year. The Bears could also look to add another young back to the mix in the draft.
Wide Receiver
1.) Allen Robinson
2.) Cameron Meredith
3.) Taylor Gabriel
4.) Kevin White
5.) Josh Bellamy
The showstoppers in this group are Robinson and Gabriel. Even with those two in place, the hope is still there for Meredith to take off in 2018 after missing the entire 2017 season with an ACL injury. Even though White and Bellamy find their names on this list, it seems highly likely one or more wideouts will be added via the draft or free agency before the start of the year.
Tight End
1.) Trey Burton
2.) Dion Sims
3.) Adam Shaheen
4.) Daniel Brown/Ben Braunecker
The actual rankings of 1-3 do not mean that much at the tight end position considering there is a strong chance all three will see significant playing time in 2018. Burton is the move tight end, Sims is the blocker and Shaheen will be viewed as a bit of a combination of both. Brown or Braunecker could find a spot on the roster if they can prove themselves on special teams.
Left Tackle
1.) Charles Leno
2.) Bradley Sowell
Leno is locked in on the left side for the foreseeable future after signing a contract extension last offseason. Chicago also re-signed Sowell earlier this offseason. He proved to be a reliable swing tackle who could also handle his own on the interior at guard.
Left Guard
1.) Eric Kush
2.) Jordan Morgan
Kush and Morgan are expected to battle it out to be the starter at left guard this offseason unless a new addition is made in the draft or in free agency.
Center
1.) Cody Whitehair
2.) Hroniss Grasu
Whitehair should signs of regression early in the 2017 season at the position but ended up having a solid second season for Chicago. A lot could happen at the center position this offseason. If the team finds another center it is confident in it would not come as a surprise to see Whitehair shift back to left guard. Grasu has been a disappointment up to this point in his career but could find new life with offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich—who was his coach at Oregon.
Right Guard
1.) Kyle Long
2.) Cameron Lee
One of the biggest question marks along the offensive line for the Bears is the health of Long. He missed a good chunk of last season recovering from offseason ankle surgery and a bevy of other injuries. This offseason he has undergone numerous surgeries but the belief is he will be back for the start of training camp. Lee appeared in two games for the team last year at guard and stands to be a solid depth option.
Right Tackle
1.) Bobby Massie
2.) Brandon Greene
Massie has not always been consistent as a blocker, but he has remained on the field for the majority of his time with the organization. In the past two seasons he has missed just a total of two games. He stands to be the team's starter at right tackle again in 2018. Greene is a converted college tight end who is still learning the ropes at the tackle position.
