Five players to watch in Bears preseason opener

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Quarterback Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina throws during a passing drill on day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Quarterback Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina throws during a passing drill on day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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Plenty of Bears players are going to be battling for roster spots and starting jobs. Who are the most interesting players to watch?

The breath of fresh air with the start of a new NFL season is refreshing. It gives players a blank slate to put down what they have worked all offseason for on tape. Who will be the players to watch for in the Bears first preseason game?

5. Adam Shaheen

We have seen the college tape. We have heard the reports from camp. Still, Division II athletes and half speed teammates do not compare to the real thing. On Thursday, we should get a full dose of the real thing with the rookie tight end from Ashland.

The three Bears projected to make the roster are Shaheen, Zach Miller, and Dion Sims. The Bears do not need to see anything from Sims, and he may not even play. Miller may dress, but given his health history, it may be for the best if he does not play until later in the preseason. Daniel Brown and Ben Braunecker will get snaps, but this should be the Bears chance to establish a base of what his strengths and weaknesses are in a real NFL environment. Watch for Shaheen to play the majority of the snaps in this game, and get plenty of chances to grow and learn as a player.

Schedule