The Chicago Bears depth chart was released ahead of the first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Now everybody knows that these depth charts aren’t official. They’re subject to change, often in big ways depending on how things go over the next month. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re useless. They at least offer some idea of where the Bears’ thought process is regarding the roster. Who’s in favor and who has work to do.
This first depth chart does exactly that. Here are a few interesting tidbits that fans should take note of.
Chicago Bears depth chart has some intrigue to it
Ryan Nall is ahead of Kerrith Whyte
Kerrith Whyte was a fascinating choice for the Bears in the 7th round back in April. An athletic and speedy running back, he was stuck behind more celebrated teammate Devin Singletary at FAU. However, whenever he got a chance to touch the ball, he did big things with it. One would think that Whyte is a likely favorite to be on the roster considering he’s a draft choice.
It would seem that’s a premature assumption. Not only has Whyte dealt with health issues to start training camp, but second-year man Ryan Nall has simply been outperforming him in drills to this point. Nall has picked up right where he left off the previous preseason for the Bears and it looks like his game as expanded. Particularly as a pass catcher. Don’t sleep on him to push Whyte off the roster.
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Emanuel Hall is at the bottom
Probably one of the most hyped-up undrafted free agents the Bears acquired in April was Emanuel Hall. It was a genuine shock the Missouri wide receiver wasn’t drafted. If for nothing else than his kind of pure speed is rare. Teams covet fast receivers more than ever, so him not getting picked was puzzling. The primary reason? Probably concerns over his health.
Time has proven those teams wise to have saved their picks. Hall has struggled to stay on the field consistently so far in training camp. He’s also dealt with concentration issues in drills. All the while others like Marvin Hall, Thomas Ives, and especially Javon Wims have clearly outperformed him. His hopes to make the final roster appear bleak at this point. He would need a huge preseason to change his situation.
Bilal Nichols listed as a starter
Coming into training camp, there was a debate over who would start at the defensive end position opposite Akiem Hicks. Would it be the more experienced Roy Robertson-Harris or rookie sensation Bilal Nichols? Based on first indications, the Bears are ready to get Nichols on the field as often as possible. Not a surprise given his flashes of dominance last season.
Nichols has continued to give the Bears offense problems down in Bourbonnais. Robertson-Harris has done similar things, but it seems the team sees him in a different sort of light. One where he operates primarily in pass rush situations. An area he excelled in 2018. Things could still change, but it does feel like Nichols’ job to lose.
John Franklin III is the 6th CB
This is an interesting one. The top 5 cornerback slots appear set with Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Buster Skrine, Duke Shelley, and Kevin Toliver. Sherrick McManis has been moved to safety so he’ll likely eat one of those spots. This leaves one cornerback slot open and right now former undrafted free agent John Franklin III is occupying it.
This is one of the more underrated stories of training camp. Franklin III was a converted quarterback last year trying to make it into the NFL as a corner. He landed on the Bears practice squad but didn’t really stand out on the field. Based on rumblings down in training camp, that’s begun to change. If he has learned the craft, then the 6’2 kid with blazing speed may be poised to make the final roster this time.
The kicker standoff
In a nice bit of trolling by the Bears, both Elliott Fry and Eddy Pineiro were listed at the kicker position with a giant OR between them. In other words, the team made it clear that neither of them is ahead of the other. It’s dead even with the preseason set to begin. Something that has remained true since camp began as both have traded strong performances.
Say this for the team. They’ve been fair from the start with both young men. While they’ve made it clear they aren’t above making a change if necessary, each has gotten plenty of leeway in working to show they deserve the job. That should continue over the next couple of weeks. Unless one completely folds before then. Not an impossible idea when kicking at Soldier Field.
