As we near the final weeks until the Chicago Bears report to training camp we are getting close to the top 30 in our ranking of the roster heading into 2021. This list is looking at who may be making the biggest impact on the 2021 roster, and how that may play out.
Scroll to the bottom for a full list of players 90-36.
35. Elijah Wilkinson, LT
Chicago Bears fans do not want to hear this but there is a chance that Elijah Wilkinson winds up starting for the Chicago Bears week one. To be fair, there is just as good of a chance he never starts for the Bears, but fans should at least give rookie Teven Jenkins some cushion to start his career.
He is a rookie from the Big 12, and he is changing from right to left tackle. We pounded the table to draft him, but struggles in weeks one or two as a rookie do not tell the story of a career. Jenkins could struggle out of the gate, or take a few weeks to catch up to Wilkinson, who appears to be locked into left tackle with Germain Ifedi and Larry Borom locked into the right side.
34. Damien Williams, RB
Damien Williams has an interesting case that can be made in a few different directions. On one hand, Williams could have been signed as insurance. The Bears could see that Tarik Cohen is healthy and rookie Khalil Herbert is ready to be the backup and that Williams does not have a role.
At the same time, the workload of David Montgomery has been heavy and they may work to reduce it by giving a back like Damien Williams work. So, he could be in line for five or more touches per game. Matt Nagy has historically liked to ride his man in David Montgomery, but he may be learning his lesson after Montgomery was banged up last year and work in Williams in more.
33. Damiere Byrd, WR
Some Chicago Bears fans are excited about Damiere Byrd after a career year with the Patriots last season. However, it is fair to say the Pats had a league-worst receiver corps, and they were on a mission to upgrade from someone like Byrd.
Still, in Chicago, he is not a trusted starter, but rather competing for fourth or fifth WR duties. At that value, he is a more professional receiver than what Chicago has had.
32. Marquise Goodwin, WR
Marquise Goodwin is gaining a lot of traction this offseason. He has been working out with Justin Fields this summer and has set himself out as a locker room leader during OTAs. However, it is fair to note that this is an older WR with a bit of a track record of injuries coming off a season where he opted out. There are questions and reasons that his impact could help, but they are not relying on Goodwin.
31. Alex Bars, OG
Last Season: 44
Alex Bars has continued his ascent up the roster. He debuted at number 57, then moved up to number 44 thanks to the lack of depth on the roster. We expected him to at least see some snaps due to that depth and he did. Now coming off a season where he played a decent number of snaps, he is trusted as the third guard behind Cody Whitehair and James Daniels. If either has to slide into center, Bars will step into that role as well. With the nature of football, the odds are good that we see Bars in one way or another.
Here are players
90. Brian Johnson
89. Rojesterman Farris
88. Khalil McClain
87. Caleb Johnson
86. Sam Kamara
85. Daniel Arcibong
84. Scooter Harrington
83. Chris Lacy
82. Dionte Ruffin
81. Rodney Adams
80. Tyrone Wheatley
79. Thomas Ives
78. CJ Marable
77. Jester Weah
76. Jake Butt
75. Teez Tabor
74. LeCale London
73. Daureuan Parker
72. Michael Joseph
71. LeDarius Mack
70. Adam Redmond
69. Tre Roberson
68. Xavier Crawford
67. Badara Traore
66. Artavis Pierce
65. Ryan Nall
64. Riley Ridley
63. Patrick Scales
62. Joel Iyiegbuniwe
61. Charles Snowden
60. Dieter Eiselen
59. Artie Burns
58. Lachavious Simmons
57. Jesper Horsted
56. Arlington Hambright
55. Dazz Newsome
54. Marqui Christian
53. Josh Woods
52. Jordan Lucas
51. James Vaughters
50. DeAndre Houston-Carson
49. Austin Calitro
48. Khiyris Tonga
47. Javon Wims
46. Nick Foles
45. Thomas Graham
44. Mike Pennel
43. Trevis Gipson
42. Pat O’Donnell
41. J.P. Holtz
40. Khalil Herbert
39. Larry Borom
38. Deon Bush
37. Cairo Santos
36. Angelo Blackson