Projecting the Chicago Bears final 53-man roster before cutdown day

The Chicago Bears wide receiver room is going to surprise people

This is one of two groups that many were concerned about heading into 2022 — the other being the offensive line. Everyone knows that Darnell Mooney is going to be the top receiver and I’m excited to see how he and Justin Fields connect this season. The shock of the group in my opinion was Equanimeous St. Brown. I did not have him making the final roster a few months ago, but I’m willing to admit I was wrong in my analysis. St. Brown is the WR2.

I’m not sure the exact order once everyone is healthy, but my guess is that rookie, Velus Jones, Jr. finds himself as the WR3 of the group. Behind him will be Byron Pringle, then Dante Pettis and N’Keal Harry. Harry will be allocated to the 53-man roster for as long as it takes to add him to injured reserve with a designation to return. Once that is final, I’d guess that the team brings back Tajae Sharpe if he is healthy enough.

There are a few of these guys who I’d imagine are signed to the practice squad. Isaiah Coulter and Chris Finke come to mind when I think of players who will stay on the practice squad. If the team keeps more than six receivers, then Coulter is the one guy who could end up on the final roster that would somewhat surprise me. He has played well enough in the preseason and if the team fears Tajae Sharpe cannot stay healthy, maybe they cut him and keep Coulter instead.