Identifying Chicago Bears draft needs via 53-man roster projection

The Chicago Bears currently have ten picks. To find out exactly how they should be using those picks, we are going to go through the 53-man roster and find out which positions are most likely to be addressed in the draft, and when.

Chicago Bears Quarterback: 2 locks

Need: Third string quarterback

Justin Fields and PJ Walker are both locks on the roster. However, they will add a third quarterback. The only real question is whether that will be day three of the draft, a UDFA, or a free agent veteran.

Chicago Bears Running Back: 4 locks, 1 depth

Need: None

Between Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman, and Travis Homer, they have three backs with defined roles. When you add in Khari Blassingame, they probably have their four locks. Trestan Ebner is here as well, so it is hard to see them adding a running back until the UDFA time.

Chicago Bears Wide Receiver: 5 locks, 3 depth

Need: Maybe one depth wide out

The Chicago Bears had six wide receivers make the team last year. With D.J. Moore, they feel good with the five they have. The other four include Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, Velus Jones, and Equanimous St. Brown They also have Nsimba Webster, Daurice Fountain, and Joe Reed.

Webster made the roster last year due to special teams, so they really may not add anyone here.

Chicago Bears Tight End: 2 locks, 2 depth

Need: 1, maybe 2 depth tight ends

Cole Kmet and Robert Tonyan are obvious locks. Between Chase Allen and Jake Tonges, you could expect one of these tight ends to make the roster. Still, four tight ends made it last year, and between tight end and wideout, they will definitely add at least one, but likely two between the positions. If they do not add a sixth wideout, it may be because a fourth tight end was the better option.

Chicago Bears Offensive Line: 6 locks, 5 depth options

Needs: Starting tackle, depth tackle, depth interior

They have Lucas Patrick, Cody Whitehair, Nate Davis, Teven Jenkins, Braxton Jones, and Larry Borom as locks right now. However, will probably keep nine lineman. Between Doug Kramer, Dieter Eiselen, Ja'Tyre Carter, Kellen Diesch and Alex Leatherwood, one, and maybe two should make the roster. the other two or three guys will be rookies.

Chicago Bears Defensive Line: 5 locks, 5 depth options

Needs: one edge rusher, one interior lineman, one depth option

For the interior, they just have Andrew Billings and Justin Jones. DeMarcus Walker can slide inside, but that still has them needing one, and maybe two interior guys. On the edge, they have Trevis Gipson and Dom Robinson. Walker will be on the edge as well, but it has them needing one or two more guys.

Depending how they view Walker should dictate the third rusher, and that may come on day three. However, they probably need to leave Friday with two defensive linemen, one edge rusher, and one interior guy.

Chicago Bears Linebacker: 5 locks, 2 depth options

Need: None

T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Dylan Cole and Sterling Weatherford are locks. If they keep six linebackers, it will be DeMarquis Gates. If they need the extra roster spot they can probably keep Gates on the practice squad.

Chicago Bears Cornerback: 5 locks, 3 depth options

Need: Only if the board breaks right

If the board breaks right and the best player is a cornerback, they may add it here. However, with Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson starting, then Kindle Vildor in nickel, they do have starters. Josh Blackwell and Jaylon Jones could be upgraded, but both played well as UDFAs last season, and both contribute on special teams.

Then, they have Harrison Hand, Greg Stroman, and Michael Ojemudia. They would have to really want to move on from the young UDFAs, or really hate Vildor to make a move with all of the other needs we noted.

Chicago Bears Safety: 3 locks, 2 depth options

Need: Depth safety

They may re-sign DeAndre Houston-Carson and make the point mute. However, right now they want to replace him. They have Elijah Hicks stepping in behind Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson. A.J. Thomas made the practice squad and could be that fourth safety this year. Still, Adrian Colbert may not be around long, and between cornerback and safety, they usually keep 10 guys. Will they add a sixth cornerback or fifth safety?

Special Teams - 3 locks

40 locks

So, what are the 13 spots that will see additions

1 QB

1 TE

1 WR/TE

3 offensive line

3 defensive line

1 defensive back

That gives us 10. You can assume the final three spots depend on roster mechanics. Whether they want extra defensive linemen or linebackers, or secondary guys fill the final three. However, they need to add somebody for those 10 spots.

With 10 draft picks, how should they shake out?

Round 7- Two Picks - Third String Quarterback, and Depth safety

Round 5 - Two Picks - TE/WR, Depth Tackle

Round 4 - Two Picks - TE/WR, Defensive Line

Picks 53-64: Three picks - Two defensive lineman, one offensive line

Top 10- One pick - Offensive line