Who are the top 35 players on the Chicago Bears roster?
Now that we are in the midst of the down period in the NFL it is a great chance to reflect on the entire Chicago Bears roster. By ranking the roster it is a good chance to look into position battles in camp, roster standings, and value.
The rankings will look solely into the 2019 season. They will reflect on their 2019 value, their potential to impact the team and their overall talent level.
Now, we will enter the top 35.
35. Pat O’Donnell, P
Last Year: 40
After finishing last year at number 40, O’Donnell had to move up. He stuck around the roster a year longer and has as much if not less competition than the year before. HIs value is noted, and his position on the roster is set in stone.
Finding the correct value of a punter is tough. However. 35 seems to be high as he could go. His special teams value is going to matter, especially for a team that is defense first. However, he is not an elite punter, and while his value is capped, he does crack the top 35.
34. Riley Ridley, WR
The Chicago Bears drafted Riley Ridley in the fourth round out of Georgia. They did not need a receiver, but they saw him as the best player on the board. Given their limited draft resources, the Bears are pretty committed to Ridley. The chances of him making the roster are high, as he cracks the top 35.
However, while he is expected to make the roster, the question comes down to how often he will play next season. He still enters camp behind Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Taylor Gabriel. He is going to compete with Javon Wims, who outproduced when the two played together at Georgia.
He is also will lose passing game value to names such as Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen, Tarik Cohen, Cordarelle Patterson, and even David Montgomery. Ridley is going to make the roster, but he may not have a huge role next season.
This puts him in the top 35 but caps him off at 34.
33. Kevin Toliver, CB
Last Year: 47
Toliver took a leap from last season. However, this almost could have been predicted. Toliver was a high-end talent coming out of LSU and went undrafted for a few off of the field issues that did not seem major.
Toliver always had the talent and showed that throughout his rookie season as he consistently grew through his first offseason. He shined in OTAs, stood out in camp, and saw significant preseason snaps.
Of course, he did not see the field much in 2018. Still, he enters year two ready to take a step forward, and he does enter training camp as the hands-down third cornerback on the outside. If Prince Amukamara or Kyle Fuller go down to injury, expect another rise from Toliver in next years ranking. For the time being, his value sits as a solid backup.
32. Aaron Lynch
Last Year: 33
Yes, the Chicago Bears have Leonard Floyd and Khalil Mack leading their outside linebacker group. However, depth matters in the NFL, we all know that. In that regard, the Chicago Bears are short at this position.
Lynch was ranked 33rd last season for a similar reason. His talent was completely questionable heading into the season, but on the team he was competing for the number two role.
This year, his talent has been more confirmed but his role is more confirmed as a number three pass rusher as well. The Bears did not much to add to the position this offseason. Heck, they barely showed interest in bringing Lynch back.
They got Lynch back on a one-year deal at a low cost. This shows that while yes, he was able to carve out a role last season, he still is not expected to provide much more value than a season before. If Lynch provided similarily in 2019 to 2018 everybody would be happy, and Lynch may get a chance to scoot up to 31 next.
31. Chase Daniel
Last Year:43
Last year Chase Daniel sat at number 43. This seemed fair as he was a clearly defined backup who would certainly make the roster. Still, while a player like Aaron Lynch is also a backup, he was certain to see about 10 snaps per game. Chase Daniel is projected to play zero snaps if things break right.
However, last year things did not break right, and we saw where the value in Chase Daniel lies. If Mitch Trubisky goes down, he is needed to keep this team upright.
Daniel fought well in the two games he started but the Bears went 1-1 and they played two of their worst games as a team. It is clear this team goes as Trubisky goes. However, there may be a point whether it be a drive, a game or even a small stint of start that Daniel may be called upon.
With that in mind, his value has to be higher than a typical backup, although he certainly does not crack the top 30.