Chicago Bears Release First Depth Chart of 2016

Aug 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of a Chicago Bears helmet during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of a Chicago Bears helmet during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Strength: Linebackers

I’m going to name the linebacker group as a whole – inside and outside linebackers – as a position of strength despite the fact that arguably the top Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee has started the season on the PUP list.

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Beyond McPhee, the outside linebackers run fairly deep, with Willie Young (don’t call him a linebacker!), Lamarr Houston and Sam Acho rounding out the top two strings of pass rushers.  That leaves rookie Leonard Floyd fighting for time and creates a big opportunity.

The inside linebacker position got quite a makeover through free agency, with Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman manning the top two spots.  That’s a big upgrade over Shea McClellin and former undrafted rookie Christian Jones, who now finds himself vying for playing time as a backup along with John Timu, John Anderson and rookie Nick Kwiatkowski.

Next: Biggest Boom or Bust Potential