How would you rank the top 90 players on the Chicago Bears roster?
With the slow wait until the Chicago Bears report to training camp it is a good time to look into the entire 90-man roster. This series will breakdown the top 90 players on the Chicago Bears roster heading into training camp.
While there is no direct formula to determine, it Is a good way to create discussion about who has a good chance to make the team, and whose impact would be the most important. Today we look at players 75-71.
75. Doran Grant
Doran Grant went to the same high school as Lebron James. He has not had the same career. Grant was a cornerback and went to Ohio State seemingly right before the big blow up on Ohio State cornerbacks.
Grant was drafted in 2015 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round. He spent his rookie season on the Steelers and bounced between the active roster and practice squad. However, he did not make the team the next summer.
He spent a week on the Buffalo Bills practice squad before being released and spending a month on the New York Giants practice squad. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed him for the rest of 2016 and held onto him through 2017. However, he was released early into the season.
From there, he was picked up by the Chicago Bears, spending the entire season on the practice squad. The fact that he has a full season of play in the Vic Fangio defense is a huge step forward on some of his competition.
However, there is a reason that multiple teams have passed him around. The Steelers even debated moving him to safety. Grant has a better roster shot than some above him, but may not see another year on the practice squad if he does fall short.
74. Cavon Walker
Cavon Walker is an interesting to name to keep an eye on. A priority UDFA from Maryland, Walker is going to take some snaps on the edge in training camp. Knowing where the position on the Bears roster it would be great to find a sleeper to step up for rotational snaps. Could that be Walker?
It may not be this season. Walker is a bit of a project. Walker was an off of the ball linebacker. However, after a foot injury, he put on a lot of upper body muscle. At Maryland, they moved him to the defensive line where he moved up and down the line.
He spent some time on the edge at Maryland, but he is still extremely raw in this regard. The best bet for him is to likely take a year and refine the position. Still, we are talking about a player with footwork and instincts of a linebacker, but power of a defensive lineman. These are things to work with.
Related Story: Cavon Walker UDFA profile
Add in that his position is one where the team is looking for signs of life in any way and his name has to scoot up the list of ones to pay attention too. If Walker can show signs of progression, the team has to be looking to develop him.
73. Garrett Johnson
Garrett Johnson is an interesting UDFA from Kentucky. A bit undersized, he is a player who can beat you deep or with the ball in his hands.
The Riot Report has an excellent breakdown on his skill set. It is tough to watch Garrett Johnson and not immediately think Taylor Gabriel insurance. Here is a comparison of the each of their Pro Day numbers.
GJ: 5’10”, 169 pounds
TG: 5’7″, 167 pounds
40, 20, 10
GJ: 4.50, 2.50, 1.57
TG: 4.40, 2.47, 1.50
Bench:
GJ: 12
TG: 17
Vert, Broad
GJ: 40″, 9’10”
TG: 40″, 10’5″
20, 3-cone
GJ: 4.26, 6.81
TG: 4.21, 6.84
So, he is not quite the athlete of Taylor Gabriel. Still, when looking at the roster, he is one of the more comparable depth players to Gabriel, or Anthony Miller. Bennie Fowler seems to be Josh Bellamy insurance. Javon Wims and Marlon Brown for Kevin White. Johnson seems to be one of the few depth players there for the Gabriel role.
It at least gives him a reason to hang around the roster. Having a chance to actually see a field when he enters camp pushes him up the list fast. If he can show that he can move with the ball in his hands, it only increases his chances. We will see if he can take advantage in camp.
72. Demarcus Ayers
Demarcus Ayers is the other player who can step into that Taylor Gabriel role if something were to happen. He is a very interesting case considering where he came from. Ayers was a seventh round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team who knows their wide receivers. Ayers started a game as a rookie and caught a touchdown.
However, with that skill of drafting talented receivers comes having a crowded room. Ayers elected to join the Patriots rather than the Steelers practice squad in his second season. Unfortunately for Ayers he did not make the Patriots roster either. After spending time on their practice squad he found himself on the Chicago Bears.
Matt Nagy and the Bears brought him back and he clearly is searching for playing time, so he must think he can compete here. Failing to get into the mix as a seventh round pick in Pittsburgh and New England is not the death sentence of a players career.
So how does Ayers compare to Johnson athletically?
GJ: 5’10”, 169 pounds
DA: 5’9″, 182 pounds
40
GJ: 4.50
DA: 4.66
Vert
GJ: 40″
DA: 35″
20, 3-cone
GJ: 4.26, 6.81
DA: 4.35, 7.30
Now Johnson does not look so bad. Ayers did not test as well but he has spent the past two seasons in some pretty good environments to craft his game. Ayers has return capabilities, and experience on his side. He can push a player such as Johnson to emerge over him, but as of now he is slightly on top.
71. Brandon Greene
A few players have already been boosted up a couple of extra spots due to the intrigue of versatility and position change. This seems to be an area where Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace see eye to eye. The more variety of things you can do, the better you can be at one specific thing.
More from Bear Goggles On
- Franchise tag and transition tag windows open for Chicago Bears and NFL
- How the Chicago Bears can control the running back market in 2023
- The Chicago Bears can own the city of Chicago moving forward
- Chicago Bears NFL Combine Preview: Quarterback
- 7 best free agent tackle options for Chicago Bears
This is no different with Brandon Greene. Heck, Greene is a player who intrigued Nick Saban as well due to his versatility. Starting his career as a tight end, Greene moved around the offensive line. He saw himself in a package as an extra blocker/tight end and did catch as pass as a tackle eligible.
Ryan Pace identified the talent and put him on the roster last season. After a season on the practice squad he is heading to camp listed as a guard. Harry Hiestand has a strong reputation. Brandon Greene has Alabama pedigree. He brings versatility as well. It may take at least one more year on the practice squad, but this is a player to keep in your sights with all of these swirling factors.