Who are players the Chicago Bears should be looking into for their practice squad?
Earlier this week we tried to turn the Chicago Bears 90-man roster into a 64 man duel for the last couple of roster spots. We separated 40 locks from 24 potential players competing for the last 13 spots.
Of course, of those players who do not make the cut, they will likely be eligible for the practice squad. In another effort to take a deeper dive into another portion of the roster, we looked into the 22 potential players competing for roster spots.
Using the 40 players as a benchmark for who will make the roster, those players will not be included. Of the fringe players: Ben Braunecker, Bradley Sowell, Cornelius Lucas, T.J. Clemmings, Nick Williams, Isaiah Irving, Nick Kwiatkoski, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Sherrick McManis, DeAndre Houston-Carson are not on this list either, due to veteran status, a potential trade candidate, or a player who is much more likely than not to fill one of the final 13 spots.
Of course, these are 10 players and even all 10 will not make it. For example. Clemmings or Lucas may make the roster, but neither will make the practice squad. With that in mind, three to five of the players on this list will make the 53-man roster.
So the top 15 players on this list have a great chance of sticking around the roster, and even 15-22 have a chance once trades and transactions take place.
Quarterback:
Tyler Bray would waste a practice squad spot and has a good relationship with Matt Nagy where he will be on standby as it is.
Running back: Kerrith Whyte, Ryan Nall
One of the two could make the roster while the other will wind up on practice squad. If both get cut there is a chance one gets let go, but both could be PS players at the same time.
Wide receiver: Marvin Hall
Hall should have practice squad eligibility despite NFL experience, which should make him roster or PS candidate regardless.
Tight End: Ian Bunting, Dax Raymond
Bunting is ahead of Raymond. In fact, it is fair to say that Bunting is fighting for the 53-man and is a PS lock while Raymond is fighting for a PS spot.
Offensive line: Sam Mustipher, Jordan McCray, Rashaad Coward
If Coward does not make the roster he is a lock for the practice squad. Mustipher is a lock as a potential long term center from Notre Dame. Mccray has earned recognition in the preseason but has an outside shot.
Defensive line: Jalen Dalton, Abdullah Anderson, Johnathan Harris, Daryle Barnfield
Anderson made the practice squad last year and has played well in preseason. He should be close to a lock while one of the other three will likely join him.
Outside Linebacker: Kylie Fitts, James Vaughters, Chuck Harris, Matt Betts
If Fitts does not make the roster you can lock him onto the practice squad. Vaughters preseason has pushed him ahead of Harris and Betts, who certainly have chances to earn that designation over the past couple of weeks.
Inside Linebacker: Josh Woods, Joel Iyiegbuniwe
These two are both very likely to make the practice squad. In fact, one of the two has a decent shot at the 53-man roster.
Cornerback: Michael Joseph, Clifton Duck, John Franklin, Jonathon Mincy
Duck has outplayed the others through two games followed by Franklin. Mincy is a long shot but is worth watching over the next two weeks.
Safety:
The question at safety is whether they keep four or five. Sherrick McManis is a seasoned veteran and cutting DeAndre Houston-Carson would mean that he has never progressed on the practice squad. Neither would be on the group.
1. Rashaad Coward
2. Ian Bunting
3. Kylie Fitts
4. Kerrith Whyte
5. Ryan Nall
6. Marvin Hall
7. Clifton Duck
8. Joel Iyiegbuniwe
9. Josh Woods
10. Sam Mustipher
11. Abdullah Anderson
12. James Vaughters
13. John Franklin
14. Dax Raymond
15. Chuck Harris
16. Michael Joseph
17. Jalen Dalton
18. Jonathan Harris
19. Matt Betts
20. Daryle Barnfield
21. Jordan McCray
22. Jonathon Mincy