Predicting the Chicago Bears 2018 NFL Depth Chart

The main avenues of player acquisition have passed for this off-season. It's time to ask the big question. What will the Chicago Bears 2018 NFL depth chart look like? A short, simple answer would be better. On paper, this roster looks younger, faster, deeper and more athletic at almost every position that it was a year ago. A true credit to the hard work done by the coaching staff and front office. They also have a core of leadership in place as well. True characters who have become the driving force of a new generation of Bears football. They're ready to rally the troops. It's just about pinpointing who the other soldiers will be in this pursuit to end one of the longest playoff droughts in franchise history. Since this is still speculation at this point, the predictions will be led off by a potential trade possibility that could ease their biggest concern.

Kevin White traded for Shaq Lawson

Suddenly the Bears are swimming in wide receivers, putting the future of their former 1st round pick in question. One might think he has no trade value but that's not entirely true. He's still just 25-years old. The talent is there. It's about staying healthy. All it takes is for one team to think they might be able to get something out of him. The Buffalo Bills have their own receiver issues with the uncertain status of former second rounder Zay Jones following his hotel incident. After him, it's a bunch of career reserves and late round picks. With Josh Allen in town, they need targets for their new QB. A player-for-player swap for White could be a worthwhile gamble. So why would they give up Lawson? Like White, he's dealt with his share of issues in Buffalo. First, it was an injury problem and more recently he's rumored to be at odds with head coach Sean McDermott over his role in the defense. The team just got done signing Trent Murphy in free agency and also started Eddie Yarbrough over him. He's a product of the previous GM and coach too. It's not a huge stretch.

Quarterback (3)

• Mitch Trubisky
• Chase Daniel
• Tyler Bray

Don't expect any significant changes in the next few months. Trubisky is the unquestioned starter moving forward and nobody will challenge Daniel for the backup job. The only possibility is that the Bears sign someone to compete with Bray for the #3 slot. Given his connection to Matt Nagy though, that doesn't seem likely either.

Running back (4)

• Jordan Howard
• Tarik Cohen
• Bennie Cunningham
• Ryan Nall

It could be a fun year for Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen in this new offense. Cunningham is also back to offer quality depth and a presence on special teams. The interesting change is adding Ryan Nall to the mix. He's a big, deceptively athletic runner in his own right with good north-south ability. He has the body to try him out at fullback too.

Wide receiver (6)

• Allen Robinson
• Taylor Gabriel
• Anthony Miller
• Bennie Fowler
• Javon Wims
• Josh Bellamy

The top three on this list is hard not to get excited about. There's size, strength, speed, quickness, and athleticism for days. They compliment each other so well. The trading of White also makes sorting out the bottom easier. Javon Wims stays on as a developmental project while Fowler and Bellamy serve as key members of the special teams.

Tight end (3)

• Adam Shaheen
• Trey Burton
• Dion Sims

It's not a group long on proven productivity but there is definitely the talent. Shaheen flashed the reasons why he was a second round pick last year late in the season. Burton was a gadget player who established himself as a serious red zone threat. Sims couldn't cut it as a starter but he's still an able blocker and offers good depth.

Offensive line (9)

• Charles Leno
• Bobby Massie
• Kyle Long
• Cody Whitehair
• James Daniels
• Eric Kush
• Bradley Sowell
• Jordan Morgan
• Hroniss Grasu

The starting lineup looks strong for the Bears, especially along the interior with Cody Whitehair, Kyle Long and rookie James Daniels. What might be lost is how sneaky solid their depth is. Kush and Sowell are able backups at guard and tackle respectively. Morgan should progress well going into his second year. One many who should count himself luck is Grasu, who is retained due to his connection with offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich.

Defensive line (5)

• Akiem Hicks
• Eddie Goldman
• Jonathan Bullard
• Roy Robertson-Harris
• Bilal Nichols

Hicks and Goldman are the obvious starters. They will anchor the front three as they did a year ago. The hard part for the Bears is finding who will replace Mitch Unrein. Bullard looks like the early favorite but Robertson-Harris has certain qualities worth keeping an eye on. Nichols should be a fun project for Fangio with intriguing strength and a high motor.

Outside linebacker (5)

• Leonard Floyd
• Shaq Lawson
• Aaron Lynch
• Kylie Fitts
• Sam Acho

This is where the hypothetical takes over. A trio of Floyd, Lawson and Lynch is far easier to digest than where the Bears are currently. Lynch is a complete wild card at this stage. Floyd has to prove he can stay healthy. Fitts has nice qualities as a situational rusher but also has injury problems. Acho is into his 30s but still reliable.

Inside linebacker (4)

• Danny Trevathan
• Roquan Smith
• Nick Kwiatkoski
• Joel Iyiegbuniwe
• John Timu

Given Pace credit. He stacked the deck quite well here. Trevathan and Smith have a chance to become one of the underrated linebacker pairings in the NFL. Kwiatkoski is a proven backup while Iyiegbuniwe and Timu offer solid depth and specials teams capability. Every avenue should be covered, which isn't always easy to do.

Cornerback (6)

• Kyle Fuller
• Prince Amukamara
• Bryce Callahan
• Sherrick McManis
• Cre'Von LeBlanc
• Kevin Toliver

The trio of Fuller, Amukamara, and Callahan were more than capable in 2017 and should be again for at least one more year. McManis is the best special teams player the Bears have. LeBlanc should make nice depth behind Callahan in the slot. Toliver is the surprise, an undrafted free agent from LSU who will beat out Marcus Cooper for the last slot.

Safety (4)

• Eddie Jackson
• Adrian Amos
• DeAndre Houston-Carson
• Deiondre Hall

Jackson and Amos look like the unchallenged starters moving forward. No surprise given how well they played together last year. Houston-Carson has established himself on special teams which should cement a backup spot for him. Hall beats out Deon Bush due to his greater versatility and cornerback experience.

Special teams (3)

• Pat O'Donnell
• Patrick Scales
• Cody Parkey

There isn't going to be any drama in this area. O'Donnell once again somehow hangs onto his position as punter with minimal competition offered by the Bears. Scales is a quality long snapper who is now healthy. The big upgrade is Parkey at the kicker spot, someone of legitimate Pro Bowl quality when he's not battling injury.