Five players who can surprise and make the Bears roster

Who are some fringe roster players who can jump up and earn a roster spot?

While every year you see the surprising veteran who is cut right before the season, it is usually because of the surprise up and comer who is making a case to make the team. The Bears have some options, and there will be some players who have been counted out but could certainly make a run at making the team in 2017. Who are these players?

5. Harold Jones-Quartey

Most roster projections seem to be leaving out Harold Jones-Quartey. On the one hand, it makes a lot of sense. If the Bears do indeed move Deiondre Hall to safety they will have drafted four safeties since Jones-Quartey was drafted in 2015. On top of that, they signed Quintin Demps who intends to start next year. Adrian Amos was also drafted in 2015 and has played more snaps than him in each of the past two seasons. Jones-Quartey has started 16 games in the past two seasons but has also been benched on multiple occasions for missed assignments in coverage. They just cannot carry that many safeties and it could very well be Jones-Quartey who gets the ax.

On the other hand, Jones-Quartey led all safeties in tackles last season and was second of the group in terms of snaps played. Jones-Quartey may lose his starting job, but if he wants to make the team it will be as a special teams performer. Despite his time starting, Jones-Quartey does have special teams snaps on his resume. Considering his tackling ability and experience he would be fine as a special teamer. A couple of the other safeties can make it to the practice squad and it could be just enough to keep him around for one more year as he tries to take a bigger step forward.