The Bears have added a ton of new talent this offseason in hopes of improving on an abysmal 2022 season. 

After a couple weeks of training camp practices, we've learned quite a bit about this roster. For one, there will be a ton of new starters, and two, these young players will make a difference early. 

Now, I want to identify the three players who have seen their stocks rise the most this summer. 

Terell Smith, CB

Smith’s stock didn’t start too high this summer. Smith was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and didn’t put up gaudy numbers in college. 

However, Smith has turned heads early and often in camp. The fifth-rounder has even earned some reps with the first-team defense this summer. It is now expected that Smith will battle with fellow rookie Tyrique Stevenson for the starting CB job opposite Jaylon Johnson. 

Fifth-round selections sometimes don't even make the roster as rookies, much less earn starting jobs immediately. 

Velus Jones Jr., WR

Jones Jr. was firmly on the roster bubble earlier this summer. There were concerns that Jones was “positionless” and would never be a great route-runner. 

However, Jones has firmly quieted some of that rhetoric. The young receiver has looked explosive in camp and has probably been the most impressive receiver behind DJ Moore. While not included on my initial 53-man roster projection, I now have Jones making the team over Equanimeous St. Brown. 

I always thought Jones would be an interesting player in the right system. It appears that the young weapon could earn a chance to prove himself with Luke Getsy at OC. 

Roschon Johnson, RB

The Bears’ running back competition has been intense just as expected. On some days, D’Onta Foreman has looked the best. On others, Khalil Herbert has shined the brightest. However, the rookie Johnson might have showcased the most potential. 

Johnson has impressed this summer with his shifty footwork and his ability to lower his head and get yards after contact. For a bigger body frame, Johnson is surprisingly agile and shifty. There were a couple of times last week when the rookie made defenders look silly. 

It was easy to see Johnson as "just another RB" on the roster. However, the former Longhorn could end up stealing the top spot before you know it.

Three Bears veterans in danger of being cut before Week 1

The Bears have a couple of veterans who could be on thin ice this summer.

Featured image via © David Banks | 2023 Jul 26