Bears Week 1 depth chart projection after one week of camp
The Chicago Bears have made it through one week of training camp. The first pre-season game is just two weeks away, with the Tennessee Titans coming to town on August 12. After a week of practice, we have already seen some flashy plays and some standout performers. From now until Week 1 of the regular season, […]
The Chicago Bears have made it through one week of training camp. The first pre-season game is just two weeks away, with the Tennessee Titans coming to town on August 12.
After a week of practice, we have already seen some flashy plays and some standout performers. From now until Week 1 of the regular season, I am going to publish a weekly depth chart. Expect some changes based off of camp rumblings.
With that being said, let's dive into my first training camp depth chart.
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterback | Justin Fields | PJ Walker | ||
Running back | Khalil Herbert | D”Onta Foreman | Roschon Johnson | Travis Homer, Khari Blasingame (FB) |
Left receiver | DJ Moore | Equanimeous St. Brown | ||
Slot receiver | Darnell Mooney | Tyler Scott | ||
Right receiver | Chase Claypool | Velus Jones Jr. | ||
Tight end | Cole Kmet | Robert Tonyan | Jake Tonges | |
Left tackle | Braxton Jones | Larry Borom | ||
Left guard | Teven Jenkins | |||
Center | Cody Whitehair | Lucas Patrick | ||
Right guard | Nate Davis | Ja’Tyre Carter | ||
Right tackle | Darnell Wright | Alex Leatherwood |
Not many surprises on the offense. I had Blasingame making the roster after OTAs, and I still think the Bears keep the fullback.
PJ Walker will be the backup QB. I don't see Nathan Peterman doing enough to make the team keep three signal-callers. Rookie Tyson Bagent could be kept on the practice squad and called up when needed.
At receiver, I actually did make a change. Dante Pettis is out with a non-football injury, and in his place, Velus Jones Jr. has impressed. I still believe the final receiver spot is between these two.
At tight end, I was disappointed that Chase Allen hasn't been practicing. For now, I have Jake Tonges getting the final slot. The team may not love Tonges, however, as Jared Pinkney was brought in recently for competition.
The line is pretty status quo as well. Ja'Tyre Carter has been a nice surprise, even getting some first-team reps.
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Defensive end | DeMarcus Walker | Rasheem Green | ||
Nose tackle | Andrew Billings | Zacch Pickens | ||
Defensive tackle | Justin Jones | Gervon Dexter Sr. | ||
Defensive end | Trevis Gipson | Terrell Lewis | Dominique Robinson | |
Weakside linebacker | TJ Edwards | Dylan Cole | ||
Middle linebacker | Tremaine Edmunds | Noah Sewell | ||
Strongside linebacker | Jack Sanborn | DeMarquis Gates | ||
Left corner | Jaylon Johnson | Terell Smith | Jaylon Jones | |
Free safety | Eddie Jackson | Elijah Hicks | ||
Strong safety | Jaquan Brisker | Bralen Trahan | ||
Right corner | Tyrique Stevenson | Kindle Vildor | ||
Nickel | Kyler Gordon |
I went back and forth with Jalyn Holmes and Dominique Robinson. Ultimately, I think the Bears keep a fifth defensive end because that group is weaker. Don't be surprised if Dexter or Pickens are starting at some point this season.
I have Cole making the team due to his special teams prowess. I have Gates over Weatherford because Gates has looked more versatile in camp.
I'm not totally sure that Vildor makes the team. The veteran has gotten burned a couple of times this summer. Terell Smith has been arguably the most impressive defender so far.
Elijah Hicks has also impressed and I believe he is now the favorite to land the third safety role. I have the UDFA Trahan making it over Kendall Williamson and others because he has really flashed in camp so far, securing two INTs on Monday.
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
Punter | Trenton Gill |
Kicker | Cairo Santos |
Long snapper | Patrick Scales |
No surprises here. Scales and Gill have no competition, and Santos should stave off Szmyt. I think this trio gets another year in Chicago.
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Featured image via © David Banks | 2022 Jul 30