Most people look at the preseason as an excellent way for their team to evaluate players on their own rosters. That is only natural. It is about knocking off rust for some, winning starting jobs for others, and making the final 53 for the rest. However, the job of GMs and scouts goes beyond that. They’re also watching the opposing teams during the preseason, taking notes on certain players they feel might have a place on their roster if they are cut. The Chicago Bears will be doing this come August.
GM Ryan Poles will have a pretty good chance before him too. Three interesting opponents lay ahead in the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Cleveland Browns. All of them are run by capable front offices. That makes it likely at least one or two good players from each will get cut. Here are some the Bears should be watching both due to talent and team needs. It should be an educational few weeks.
Chicago Bears have plenty of opposing players worth watching.
Justyn Ross (WR, Kansas City Chiefs)
The Chiefs reloaded in a big way at wide receiver this offseason with new arrivals like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. That will make it difficult for the former Clemson star to crack the roster as an undrafted free agent. Teams were terrified to take a chance on Ross because of his spinal fusion surgery. Kansas City gave him an opportunity. If he can at least show teams he can play well in the preseason, it might ease their fears about his condition. The Bears have far more depth concerns at wide receiver, so they’d be more inclined to grab him if he becomes available.
One guy I’ve really come to like as a developmental OL draft prospect is Florida LT Stone Forsythe.
He’s a 6-foot-9, 312-pound machine who plays with great body control and athleticism, as well as raw power at the point of attack. pic.twitter.com/nyFdGYQ2S2
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 28, 2021
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Stone Forsythe (OT, Seattle Seahawks)
Offensive linemen remain a serious talking point for this team. They don’t have a lot of certainty in that area right now. Right guard is up in the air, and the overall depth is questionable. Seattle drafted Charles Cross (1st round) and Abraham Lucas (3rd round) back in April. That puts former 6th rounder Forsythe in a tight spot. There may not be enough room left on the roster for him. At 6’9, and 315 lbs, the kid is a monster. He’s got length for days and remarkable athleticism for somebody that big. His biggest issue was inconsistent run blocking. If the Seahawks don’t want to continue exploring his potential, he’d fit nicely with the Chicago Bears.
Anthony Schwartz (WR, Cleveland Browns)
The Browns overhauled their wide receiver room when they traded for Amari Cooper and drafted David Bell in the 3rd round. This put the status of former 3rd rounder Schwartz in doubt after two forgettable seasons mostly spent on the bench. It was well-known he was a project coming out of Auburn. For whatever reason, he hasn’t taken a step forward. A team like the Bears might make sense for him. They have an excellent receivers coach in Tyke Tolbert and covet players with game-breaking speed. Schwartz has plenty to offer in that department.
