Chicago Bears Would Benefit Huge From This Projected NFL Cut

The Chicago Bears could be an active team on the waiver wire next week following the fourth preseason games. Every other team in the league, like them will be trimming their rosters down from 90 players to 53. This will present the last big opportunity for GM Ryan Pace to add one or two players to the roster who could be quiet contributors. Maybe not starters, but quality backups who may see action if inevitable injuries hit.

One area Pace needs to focus on is offensive tackle. Health problems have already cropped up in that area. Rashaad Coward, their backup right tackle from last year is still out with an elbow injury. Now fellow backup T.J. Clemmings is down two with a leg ailment suffered in the win over the Colts. Chicago did sign Tommy Doles on Sunday but that feels like a temporary move to fill the roster spot for the 4th preseason game.

Odds are he could target a more permanent solution after that. It's a matter of figuring out who. A big name he should have his eye on is David Sharpe. A former 4th round pick in 2017, he's been a backup with the Oakland Raiders the past two years. Despite reported improvement this offseason, expectations are he could be the odd man out at tackle thanks to the arrival of 3rd round pick Brandon Parker.

"Parker seemed to have this gig locked up during the offseason program, but he slipped up a few times this summer and Sharpe has played tough despite dealing with injuries. The Raiders have both players working on the right and left, as they try to identify a super sub on the flanks.

Parker still seems like the guy. He’s bigger and athletic with room to improve, and the Raiders also spent a third-round pick on him just last year."

Chicago Bears would love Sharpe for several reasons

Sharpe has had the hard luck of many mid round picks. He was stuck behind established veterans when he arrived in 2017. Then his status was made murkier once the coaching staff who originally drafted him was replaced with another. This has put Sharpe's status in question and he could be a casualty. That's a shame because there's growing evidence his game has taken some noticeable steps forward.

A few things to note about Sharpe? Despite going into his third season, he's still just 23-years old and won't turn 24 until late October. He's an absolute giant at 6'6, 340 lbs with long arms (35 inches) and a nasty disposition. Most would think because of his bulk that he's a liability in pass protection. Yet in extended preseason action across three years and 211 total pass blocking snaps, he's allowed just nine total pressures on the quarterback.

Given what the Bears and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand did with Bobby Massie last season, someone with a very similar body type, it's not hard to imagine they could do some great things with Sharpe.