One Final Bears 53-Man Roster Projection
To borrow the title from an Academy Award-winning song written by the immortal Bob Dylan, "Things Have Changed."
The Bears 53-man roster projections made before training camp became obsolete quickly, just as the one made a day before the start of preseason did.
"Things have changed" for the Bears since just a few weeks ago thanks to injuries and thanks to a fellow named Tyson Bagent.
The final preseason game seems likely to tip the scale only on a few roster spots, so here's BearDigest's attempt at the final 2023 Bears 53-man roster projection.
Final 53-Man Projection
Quarterback (3): Justin Fields, P.J. Walker, Tyson Bagent.
Bottom Line: Even if Bagent bombs out in the final preseason game, he has displayed enough talent to keep hands off of him by putting him on the 53-man roster. Dumping Walker doesn't appear an option now. The benefit of having Nathan Peterman was his contributions in the QB room as someone who knew the offense, but he also has had a pretty fair preseason compared to how he looked last preseason and regular season. There is no way the Bears should dangle Bagent out on waivers or on the practice squad after the way he showed he can quickly read a defense and distribute the ball to the open receiver. It's not a quality easy to find. Justin Fields himself would benefit from some of that quality. Bagent needs to be on the roster even if it takes up a necessary spot on the 53-man list.
Running Back (5): Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman, Travis Homer, Roschon Johnson, Khari Blasingame (FB)
Bottom Line: Since the last projection, Trestan Ebner suffered an injury so he doesn't figure into the 53-man mix. Perhaps he's and IR possibility. There is too much risk involved in cutting Homer because he adds receiving and pass blocking help they might need, and also performs on special teams. Homer has even lined up out wide on some of their five-receiver packages in practices, so count him in for the long haul.
Tight Ends (3): Cole Kmet, Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis.
Bottom Line: Jared Pinkney was projected as the last tight end cut but he has been cut already. Now it's Stephen Carlson who might be the odd man out, unless they sacrifice at another position in order to keep a fourth tight end on the 53-man roster. The practice squad is where many teams stash a fourth tight end. Whether the Bears would or could do this with Carlson is uncertain.
Wide Receivers (6): DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr., Equanimeous St. Brown
Bottom Line: The same group figures as in earlier BearDigest projections. Claypool's injury concerns are a real problem at this point. Jones' injury seems to be less of an issue to Bears coaches. It's not necessarily that Claypool has a serious injury, but he has constantly been hurt since arriving. He suffered an injury last regular season and now twice in the off-season. Can they count on someone who does this once the season begins? And the short fuse he displayed during practices is another potential issue. For that reason and because they lack a real punt returner after Dante Pettis went on injured reserve, the Bears should be in the market for a punt returner/receiver even before roster cuts.
Offensive Line (9): Cody Whitehair (C), Teven Jenkins (G), Nate Davis (G), Braxton Jones Jr. (T), Darnell Wright (T), Lucas Patrick (G/C), Ja'Tyre Carter (G), Larry Borom (T), Doug Kramer (C).
Bottom Line: The Jenkins injury is a real tipping point for this group when the cuts get made. If it appears he'll be out an extended period they could put him on injured reserve and keep Alex Leatherwood around or even Dieter Eiselen. Cutting Kramer would be a possibility but he is highly regarded by coaches and both of the centers ahead of him have been dealing with injuries. The numbers crunch might dictate practice squad for him after Jenkins' injury heals. Also, keep an eye out for tackle Kellen Diesch as a possible surprise on the roster as the third-highest rated overall blocker in preseason, by PFF grades.
Defensive Line (9): Yannick Ngakoue (DE), DeMarcus Walker (DE), Rasheem Green (DE), Trevis Gipson (DE), Terrell Lewis (DE), Andrew Billings (DT), Justin Jones (DT), Zacch Pickens (DT), Gervon Dexter (DT).
Bottom Line: Dominique Robinson has played like a project player even if the Bears don't want to label him one. Project players go on the practice squad. Expect Gipson to step up one more time with a third straight strong preseason effort in order to make one last statement. If the Bears plan to cut a player who is this productive, maybe they need to try harder to trade him. He shouldn't another big preseason finale at this point, but just might. As for Travis Bell, they love the guy and he's standing out, but keeping a fifth defensive tackle on a roster where defensive ends slide inside to be interior pass rushers at times makes him an extraneous part. He's another practice squad player they must hope and pray they're able to keep.
Linebackers (5): Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Davion Taylor.
Bottom Line: They need the sixth linebacker for special teams but they may need to put up with just five due to numbers at other positions. They'll have a long list of practice squad linebackers to choose from in case of injury. Keep an eye on undrafted rookie Micah Baskerville, though. He has really shown up in the preseason games. The original intention was Dylan Cole as the fifth linebacker but he has practiced so little due to injuries that it's difficult to justify his spot over some other players who are putting in the work.
Secondary (10): Jaylon Johnson (CB), Tyrique Stevenson (CB), Kyler Gordon (Slot CB), Eddie Jackson (S), Jaquan Brisker (S), Terell Smith (CB), Josh Blackwell (Slot CB), Jaylon Jones (CB), Elijah Hicks (S), Kendall Williamson (S).
Bottom Line: Kindle Vildor has made a strong push in preseason to make the roster. Out of everyone on the roster, only Gordon has a better PFF pass coverage grade (88.2) than Vildor (80.1). It looks like a tough call between Jaylon Jones and Vildor for the last cornerback spot, with Jones winning out because of his length. Matt Eberflus loves the longer, taller players and Vildor isn't in that category, although his play has improved greatly in preseason. Williamson made a late push for the fourth safety spot. A few weeks ago A.J. Thomas seemed a more likely choice but as a seventh-round pick Williamson would seem to have an inside track.
Specialists (3): Cairo Santos (K), Trenton Gill (P), Patrick Scales (LS)
Bottom Line: Santos has experienced a strong preseason and has been steady in camp. Gill's only issue in preseason games was hang time on a few efforts. It's part of the explanation for 9.2 yards allowed per punt return in two games and a 40.9-yard net even though his punts averaged 47.8 yards.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven
