Ranking 24 roster bubble players on the Chicago Bears entering 2023 preseason
Chicago Bears cornerback
1. Josh Blackwell (inside top 12)
Josh Blackwell is close to a lock, but he was a UDFA rookie last season, and the team did add some serious depth at cornerback. What has Blackwell listed so high is that he is the only cornerback who could end up in the slot as well.
2. Kindle Vildor
Kindle Vildor went from a starter to the roster chopping block very quickly. That is what happens when the team drafts two cornerbacks. Vildor has hardly seen any first-team work, and he is going to have to prove he can make the roster via special teams.
3. Jaylon Jones
Jaylon Jones was a rookie UDFA last year, and he was thrown into the fire early. He did not play well but finished the season better than he started. He also proved himself on special teams, so Vildor is not a lock over him.
Chicago Bears safety
1. Kendall Williamson (inside top 12)
Kendall Williamson is a seventh-round rookie. Being a rookie draft pick gives him a nice leg up, but being just a seventh-round pick makes it tough to say he is a lock.
2. AJ Thomas
AJ Thomas started to make noise last season, especially on special teams by the end of the year. Still, he was a UDFA last year and only played when they needed him badly. He has a case to be made to make the roster, but drafting Williamson shows they wanted competition for Thomas. He will have to fight for his spot.
3. Adrian Colbert (outside top 12)
Adrian Colbert has bounced around the NFL, and he has made NFL rosters. His competition is beating out one of Thomas or Williamson. Those two are younger and most cost-controlled, but Colbert has a lot more experience, so he is at least on the edge of the bubble.
Chicago Bears bubble watch
Inside Top 12:
Nathan Peterman, Travis Homer, Velus Jones, Jake Tonges, Ja’Tyre Carter, Terell Lewis, Dylan Cole, Josh Blackwell, Kendall Williamson
Right now, we have nine players inside the top 12. This is the top half of the bubble, and these players should make it with a small win or two this summer.
Outside top 12:
Adrian Colbert, Andrew Brown Jalyn Holmes, Travis Bell, Dante Pettis, Tyson Bagent
It was tougher to firmly rule players out, we saw them on the bubble after all. However, there are only three spots after the players we see on the inner 12. So, with nine in the top 12 and six surely out, we still have nine players for the final three spots. They are:
AJ Thomas, Jaylon Jones, Kindle Vildor, DeMarquis Gates, Alex Leatherwood, Dieter Eiselen, Doug Kramer, Chase Allen Equanimeous St. Brown
These are the players in the middle of the bubble. Only three of them can make the roster. Who do you think has the best chance?