How would you rank the Chicago Bears 90-man roster heading into training camp?
Ranking 90-86 85-81 80-76 75-71 70-66 65-61 60-56 55-50
35. Benny Cunningham
Benny Cunningham is entering year two with the Chicago Bears. Last year he served a fairly regular role as a third-down back, putting in 175 total snaps. He had 20 receptions for 240 yards and nine rushes for 29 yards. The reason Cunningham was able to stay on the field and was re-signed by the Bears is that he was a strong pass blocker. He is not afraid to stick his head in there and knows his assignments.
This is how Cunningham is able to finish with some many more receptions. That is also why Cunningham is still slated to see the field more than Taquan Mizzell. Cunningham is a free agent next spring and a strong camp by Mizzell could present competition.
However, it is going to take a strong pass blocking improvement to knock off Cunningham from his role. Until then, he is going to be the third running back and is going to see 10-15 snaps per game in this role.
34. Sam Acho
Sam Acho has been with the Chicago Bears since 2015. Entering year four with the team Acho is going be 30 years old to start the season. At this point in his career, the Chicago Bears know what they have in Acho and Acho knows what he can provide to the Chicago Bears.
In a rotational role, Acho can be a solid option. He is a refined and nuanced pass rusher who does not win with burst but can hold down rotational snaps with technique. Watch the hands of Acho in the play below. First, he is able to push the hands of the tackle up, then he is able to get a clear push into his chest to leverage the lineman backward. This is how Acho can win.
Acho has also played over half of the team’s special teams snaps in each of the past three seasons.
Acho is playing a position a where he has a chance to see some real playing time. Last season he played just over 60% of the team’s snaps. In a perfect world, he is playing just under 40% of a teams snaps, though.
The need for a pass rusher boosts his value, but we know what we have with Sam Acho and that limits his ceiling.
33. Aaron Lynch
Aaron Lynch is a bit of an unknown, but the idea of signing him is that he can cut into the high snap count of Sam Acho. Lynch was a late draft pick with effort and injury issues. Over his time with the San Fransisco 49ers, he lived up to his draft billing.
The talent is there, and when it is clicking, he can play. However, it is hot and cold and usually cold due to injuries. Still, it is worth noting that Vic Fangio drafted Lynch and Vic Fangio got the most out of Lynch when he was the 49ers, defensive coordinator.
When Lynch is on his game, he is a relied on asset. At the very least, he is a strong run defender who plays with effort and tenacity to set the edge. If Vic Fangio can get this Lynch, the Bears have a starter across from Leonard Floyd.
The speed of Floyd and the run setting of Lynch could be a good duo. It could also be a bust of a signing. Lynch already had an injury in OTAs. He was listed as one of our early losers of the offseason. It did not take long for his reputation to follow him and that is not a strong sign for a high ranking heading into training camp.
32. Kevin White
Some are going to see this ranking as far too high. Some are going to see this ranking as far too low. That must mean it is perfect. I get every side of the argument.
The talent is there. He can play receiver in the NFL. He can be a starter. However, he has never proven it. Yes, injuries are mostly out of his control. However, entering year four, it is impossible to think that all of the sudden a clean bill of health is going to wash over Kevin White.
So, at his upside, he is a starter in the NFL. However, it seems as though the Chicago Bears have finally worked out a lighter load for White. When looking at the group, Allen Robinson is obviously the man now. Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller can do things with the ball in their hands in the short passing game, and Gabriel can stretch the field as well. The duo can rotate in and out of the slot with Tarik Cohen and Trey Burton as key pieces as well.
This leaves Kevin White as the fourth wide receiver. He is the depth receiver. The red zone target, the splash player. He plays about 15 snaps per game, catches about 15 passes per year and turns that into 3-5 touchdowns.
Considering his health and his career progression, these should be realistic expectations for this season. It would be interesting to see if he could jump into a bigger role. However, for the time being, that should be something that the Bears are not counting on.
31. Joel Iyiegbuniwe
The Chicago Bears fourth-round pick had many questioning where exactly the team was going with it. However, digging into Joel Iyiegbuniwe gives the idea that there are some opportunities for him in the present and future.
In the present, he is mainly going to play special teams. Iyirgbuniwe is a prized special teams asset in college and will provide in the NFL as well. On top of that, he is a pass rusher turned off of the ball linebacker. His special teams talent is based on his speed and ability to seek out the football.
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The Bears are looking for help in getting a pass rush from their linebackers in any way. Is Joel Iyigbuniwe apart of the solution?
On top of that, he is a smart player. He has the potential to take over one day as a starter in the NFL. The plan for the Chicago Bears would likely be for Roquan Smith to learn the play calling from Danny Trevathan. From there, Iyiegbuniwe would likely be in line to step in for Trevathan in the near future.
Iyiegbuniwe has a chance to see the field early into his career. The Bears also have some plans for him in the future. He is a player to watch in camp as he could go from the unknown player to a favorite in camp.