What does the Chicago Bears depth chart look like at cornerback?
With the long period of time off between the NFL draft and the next NFL activity, there will not be much roster movement. This gives us a good chance to look back at the depth chart and see what stands out. What does the Chicago Bears depth chart at cornerback look like?
1. Kyle Fuller
Fuller is clearly the top dog and the leader of the group. With Prince Amukamara gone, the Bears will rely on Fuller even more than they used to.
2. Jaylon Johnson
Johnson falling to 50 was a must-draft for the Chicago Bears. He is up there with the top cornerbacks in this draft and is in a perfect fit defensively scheme-wise. He is a great fit across from Kyle Fuller and has a similar playing style. He is a rookie who has proven nothing, but if you have watched him at Utah, you know Jaylon Johnson can play.
3. Buster Skrine
Skrine is set to start in the slot again in 2020 after being signed in 2019. He will have depth options to compete behind him but will be the starter when the season starts.
4. Kevin Toliver
Toliver stepped in for Prince Amukamara when Amukamara got hurt. He performed well and showed that if Johnson did not fall, they do have depth at the position.
5. Duke Shelley
Toliver is the top in line to be back up on the outside, while Shelley is the top backup slot option. After a year of sitting, the hope is he can push Skrine even harder this year.
6. Kindle Vildor
Vildor can play inside and outside. Ryan Pace also noted that he likes his special team’s ability. A fast, explosive, strong tackler with versatility has a good shot at making the roster.
7. Artie Burns
Burns was signed for the minimum. If he shows up and does well, he is a gift. However, there is little invested, and he has a lot to prove to make the roster, let alone start for Chicago.
8. Stephen Denmark
Denmark spent one year on the practice squad. He has more upside than Burns, but less experience. Still, he could spend one more year on the practice squad before taking the next step.
9. Tre Roberson
Roberson got people excited when he was signed from the CFL. However, after adding Burns, Vildor, and Johnson, it is clear that the Bears do not have him in their long term plans. There is a reason he found his way to the CFL.
10. Xavier Crawford
Vildor is likely the third option to start in the slot, leaving Crawford as the fourth string slot cornerback. He could spend a year on the practice squad as well.
11. Michael Joseph
Joseph has spent two years on the practice squad but has not taken a step forward. If anything, he is further down the depth chart this year than years past. Like Isaiah Irving, this could be the end of the road for a 2017 UDFA.