The Chicago Bears mixed up the depth of their roster a bit with two position changes
With the start of the Chicago Bears OTAs, there were small things to look for and note for following in training camp. However, this is never a very serious event that will come with huge ramifications or breaking news.
While it may not be breaking news, the Chicago Bears roster did adjust in a significant way with the announcement of two position changes on their current roster. According to reports, Bradley Sowell will move from tackle to tight end and Taquan Mizzell will become a wide receiver.
#Bears now list Bradley Sowell as a TE and Taquan Mizzell as a WR on their most current roster.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) May 22, 2019
Taquan Mizzell is a quick hitter because he was buried on the running back depth chart with additions such as Kerrith Whyte putting a nail in his coffin. The move to receiver does not improve his chances, though, considering the Bears also drafted Riley Ridley and added Emanuel Hall to add to a strong group.
Mizzell has to do anything to stay on the roster, so he hopes to be a versatile weapon in the passing game.
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Bradley Sowell was in a similar spot to Mizzell in that his roster spot was not secure. With Ted Larsen having guard and center capabilities, Rashaad Coward progressing at tackle, and Alex Bars amongst other notable UDFAs added to the mix, his roster spot was in jeopardy.
The move to tight end may have guaranteed him a job. We know he can block, and we have actually watched him catch, as he caught a touchdown last season.
Matt Nagy has always stressed using three tight ends, but with Dion Sims out the door and only Ben Braunecker and Dax Raymond behind Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen, the depth was too thin to use that many tight ends.
Raymond and Burton are not strong blockers but are move players in the passing game. Adam Shaheen is a seam stretcher. They needed a grounded in-line blocking player, and Sowell may be an upgrade from Dion Sims in this area.
This also could be good news for Shaheen, who may be blocking less than expected. Nonetheless, it is a development worth following into training camp.