Bears' offseason depth chart projection: First week of OTAs provides a clearer picture

The Chicago Bears' first week of organized team activities is now behind us and the second week will soon begin on Tuesday.The team will hold practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week as OTAs roll on at Halas Hall. We learned a lot about the roster during the first week of OTAs and now […]

Kole Noble Chicago Bears News Writer
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May 23, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running backs warm up during organized team activities at Halas Hall.
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears' first week of organized team activities is now behind us and the second week will soon begin on Tuesday.

The team will hold practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week as OTAs roll on at Halas Hall. We learned a lot about the roster during the first week of OTAs and now have a better idea of how the depth chart could shake out for the 2024 season.

Based on everything we've seen and that was reported out of Halas Hall, here's my projection for what Bears' depth chart currently looks like.


Quarterbacks:

First team: Caleb Williams
Second team: Tyson Bagent
Third team: Brett Rypien
Fourth team: Austin Reed

The skinny: Caleb Williams is the undisputed QB1 in Chicago and until we hear or see differently and Tyson Bagent should be the betting favorite to retain the QB2 job. I'd love to see Austin Reed make a push for the QB3 job over the next few months just because of the story but only time will tell if he can beat out veteran Brett Rypien.

May 10, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall.
Caleb Williams warms up during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall.David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs:

First team: D'Andre Swift and FB Khari Blasingame
Second team: Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson
Third team: Ian Wheeler and Travis Homer

The skinny:
The Bears have some talented backs on the roster at OTAs but expect to see D'Andre Swift dominate the touches in this room. Khalil Herbert could still be trade bait for another team which would open the door for Roschon Johnson to get even more opportunities in Year 2. Ian Wheeler and Travis Homer will battle it out for a special teams role and I believe Wheeler's youth and return ability will give him a shot.


Wide Receivers:

First team: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze
Second team: Tyler Scott, Velus Jones, and Dante Pettis
Third team: Freddie Swain, John Jackson, and Collin Johnson
Fourth team: Nsimba Webster and Peter LeBlanc

The skinny: Very few teams come close to rivaling the Bears starting trio of WRs in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. But, a second-year jump by Tyler Scott and a revitalization of Velus Jones is the only thing that could help boost the depth of the position outside of the Big 3 ahead of them. We'll see which of Dante Pettis, Freddie Swain, John Jackson and Collin Johnson impress enough to make the 53-man roster.

May 10, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) runs drills as head coach Matt Eberflus looks on during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall.
Rome Odunze (15) runs drills as HC Matt Eberflus looks on during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp.David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends:

First team: Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett
Second team: Stephen Carlson and Tommy Sweeney
Third team: Brenden Bates

The skinny:
Gerald Everett's addition to the room gives OC Shane Waldron's offense two highly-athletic TEs to work with, but the depth at the position is still lacking with Stephen Carlson, Tommy Sweeney, and Brenden Bates behind them in a offense that relies heavily on tight end usage.


Offensive Linemen:

First team: Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Ryan Bates, Nate Davis, and Darnell Wright
Second team: Kiran Amegadjie, Matt Pryor, Coleman Shelton, and Larry Borom
Third team: Ja'Tyre Carter, Bill Murray, Doug Kramer, and Jake Curhan
Fourth team: Aviante Collins, Jerome Carvin, and Theo Benedet

The skinny: Based on the first week of OTAs and only one day of media access, it seemed like Ryan Bates was taking first team snaps at center. Rookie Kiran Amegadjie won't take the field till training camp but is expected to be the swing tackle. The depth up-front looks great with Coleman Shelton, Matt Pryor, Larry Borom, and Jake Curhan all offering valuable previous experiences.


Defensive Linemen:

First Team: Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, and DeMarcus Walker
Second team: Austin Booker, Zacch Pickens, Keith Randolph, and Dominique Robinson
Third team: Byron Cowart, Michael Dwumfour, and Jacob Martin
Fourth team: Khalid Kareem, Daniel Hardy, Jamree Kromah, and Dashaun Mallory

The skinny: The Bears front four looks solid and should be an improved unit under DC Eric Washington. I'm still siding Andrew Billings over Zacch Pickens for the time being and believe DeMarcus Walker will start the season over Austin Booker. I still wouldn't rule out a veteran being added to this room before training camp begins.

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) lines up on defense against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.
Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) lines up on defense against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers:

First Team: Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards
Second Team: Jack Sanborn and Amen Ogbongbemiga
Third Team: Noah Sewell and Micah Baskerville
Fourth Team: Carl Jones Jr. and Paul Moala

The skinny: After splashing on the two starting LBs last offseason, both Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards showed out in 2023, Edwards especially. Jack Sanborn offers a solid LB3 player to slide in if need be and the addition of Amen Ogbongbemiga gives Noah Sewell some competition as LB4 and on special teams.


Cornerbacks:

First Team: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson
Second Team: Terell Smith, Greg Stroman, and Josh Blackwell
Third Team: Jaylon Jones, Leon Jones, and Reddy Steward

The skinny: I would take the Bears' CB trio over any other trio in the league. Jaylon Johnson proved to be a top CB in the NFL in 2023 while Kyler Gordon has continued to impress in the slot. A major Year 2 jump from Tyrique Stevenson would make this unit insane. As for depth, the coaches are very high on Terell Smith. He, Greg Stroman, and Josh Blackwell also played a decent amount of snaps last season.


Safeties:

First Team: Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker
Second Team: Jonathan Owens and Tarvarius Moore
Third Team: Elijah Hicks, Adrian Colbert, Douglas Coleman III, and Quindell Johnson

The skinny: Chicago should be expected to have a top versatile safety tandem in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Byard's experience and ability to play deep and in the box makes for an immediate upgrade at the position over Eddie Jackson, while Brisker continues to develop into a star himself. As for the depth, the additions of Owens and Moore provide experienced help at the position while a battle remains behind them.

Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jaquan Brisker (9) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs.Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Specialist:

First Team: K Cairo Santos, P Tory Taylor, LS Patrick Scales
Second Team: P Corliss Waitman and LS Cameron Lyons

The skinny: It didn't take long for fourth round pick Tory Taylor to win the starting punter job while the rest of the starting specialists return for another season in Chicago. Consistency is key in this phase of the game, as is adding a legit weapon.


Return Specialists:

First Team: KR Velus Jones, PR Rome Odunze
Second Team: KR Freddie Swain, PR Dante Pettis
Third Team: KR Ian Wheeler, PR Peter LeBlanc

The skinny:
Under the new kickoff rules, the Bears are expecting a more sizable role for WR Velus Jones. As for punt returner, I don't think the Bears will have enough room to designate a specific player for the role on the roster, leaving Dante Pettis to hit the practice squad. Rome Odunze should get the opening crack at PR duties.