How would you rank the Chicago Bears 90-man roster heading into training camp?
Chicago Bears Ranking 90-86 85-81 80-76 75-71 70-66 65-61 60-56 55-50
50-46 45-41 40-36 35-31 30-26 25-21 20-16
15. Tarik Cohen
Many are going to see this ranking and think that it is a bit optimistic and a reach for what Tarik Cohen has done so far. However, even knowing that preseason hype is just that, it feels as though Cohen is going to be this valuable.
To start, if there is one player in which Matt Nagy cannot stop talking about, it is Tarik Cohen. He said that one player in which he knew he could trust when he took the job was Cohen. Nagy mentioned specifically that they are working on his route running and then said that he was “giddy” about Cohen. Matt Nagy is infatuated with Tarik Cohen.
For good reason. Cohen can be a Tyreek Hill type of player in this offense. He can do that with a running back designation. This is where Nagy gets excited. Nagy can put Cohen on the field with Jordan Howard. This mitigates some of the concern that Howard has catching the football.
With Cohen on the field, the team has two options to run, but also at least four other options to pass. He keeps the animosity of the offense open while keeping a limited player in Howard on the field.
From there, he is a game changer with the ball in his hands. Tarik Cohen finished with the top breakaway rate in the NFL last season, albeit on a light workload. Still, with his mismatch presence, combined with a heavier workload Tarik Cohen should be a key piece to the offense moving forward.
14. Eddie Jackson
Eddie Jackson broke out with a huge rookie season. The safety was expected to miss some time early from a lingering foot injury in college. However, he was able to get back onto the field by training camp and secure an opening day roster spot.
Jackson took over and recorded 70 tackles, with a forced fumble and two interceptions. When Quentin Demps went down due to an injury, Jackson and Adrian Amos were able to form a perfect bond together.
Eddie Jackson brings ball skills but is not the most physical player. Amos is a downhill, sure-handed tackler, but does not have the best ball skills in the open field. The fact of the matter is that the duo was born to thrive together and thrive they did.
Heading into year two, Jackson should only be in a better position. Jackson was getting healthy and Adrian Amos was fighting for a starting job last season. Now, the duo has a full year of working together with a full offseason. Both safeties should be in for big seasons in 2018.
13. Prince Amukamara
Prince Amukamara signed a one-year, prove it deal last offseason with the Chicago Bears. Amukamara had to compete with Marcus Cooper and Kyle Fuller for playing time on the outside. While it took some time for Fuller to assert himself, Amukamara had seemingly locked down a starting spot from the first day of camp.
An interesting dynamic over the season was that teams were willing to test Kyle Fuller early and often. This played well to the checkbook of Fuller because he was up for the challenge. This also helped Amukamara, as he typically found an easier day in coverage against most teams.
Still, Amukamara was excellent in his coverage as well. He finished last season rated as a high-end cornerback two, with an above average grading from PFF.
The season got Amukamara rewarded with a three-year, $27 million contract. Amukamara has some health concerns in his past, but the team giving him $18 million guaranteed is a huge positive for their confidence in what he can bring moving forward.
If Amukamara can maintain his 2017 form, the Chicago Bears could really have a strong cornerback duo heading into the future. In what is becoming a more pass-happy league, that is absolutely a good thing for the Chicago Bears.
12. Cody Whitehair
Cody Whitehair is coming off of what could be considered by many as a sophomore slump. Still, in that slump, he rated as an average center by PFF gradings. After an elite rookie season, a jump back could be in store in year three.
Many want to move Cody Whitehair back to his natural position of guard now that the team has drafted James Daniels. However, it might be for the best on both sides if Whitehair stays at center and Daniels moves to guard.
One of the issues with Whitehair last season was that he was asked to move to guard at times. Early into the preseason with Kyle Long hurt, the team shook up the line and put Whitehair at guard and Hroniss Grasu at center. This ended up making the team worse at two positions rather than one, and it became apparent that Tom Compton at guard was a better option.
Cody Whitehair switched his position already and the switch was natural. There is no need to try to switch it back, or make changes. The team should be looking to let him progress in year three at the position he has been trying to situate himself in. James Daniels projects well to guard in the NFL thanks to his athleticism. It could be a great fit and could lead to a bounce-back year three for Cody Whitehair.
11. Kyle Long
Long is going to be another divisive topic when it comes to just how much they want and expects from him. When he is healthy, there is a true argument that this ranking is excessively low. Still, the fact of the matter is that it has now been two full seasons since we have seen that player.
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Long has made just 17 starts over the past two years. Long has suffered everything from a shoulder to an ankle to a neck injury that has sidelined him over this time. He also played through a finger injury.
These injuries have caught up to Long, who was just an average guard even when he was on the field last season. There were flashes of old Long, no doubt. And he can get back to being that player.
However, he is going to be 30 years old this season. Typically, if a body is going to break down, it is likely going to happen at this time period.
Long is currently healthy. If he can maintain that, he is likely a top ten player. If not, there are serious questions about what he can bring in the future.