Bears’ 53-man Roster Final Prediction: Uncertainty at RB and CB makes for a tough evaluation while recent draft picks get left off entirely

Tight End (3)

In: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland*, and Durham Smythe
Out: Joel Wilson, Stephen Carlson, and Thomas Gordon**

Tight end room remains set in stone with the same three we've been projecting all summer long.

Durham Smythe has been solid as a blocker and even added a nifty 23-yard reception against the Chiefs. As far as the practice squad goes, I think Joel Wilson makes sense to keep around over Stephen Carlson as a better fit in the offense.

Practice Squad Prediction: Joel Wilson

Offensive Tackle (4)

In: Darnell Wright, Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo*, and Theo Benedet
Out: Kiran Amegadjie and Joshua Miles

It's a rarity to see five tackles get kept on the 53-man roster, and the Bears have backed themselves into an odd situation at this position. Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones will once again be the starters with Ozzy Trapilo integrating as the swing tackle.

Theo Benedet has experience at both tackle positions and earned his way into contention for the left tackle job. The question becomes what do you do with Kiran Amegadjie. He's always been viewed as a project player and only path that makes sense is continuing to develop him on the practice squad.

Practice Squad Prediction: Kiran Amegadjie

Interior Offensive Line (5)

In: Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Luke Newman*, and Ryan Bates
Out: Doug Kramer Jr., Chris Glaser, Jordan McFadden, Bill Murray, and Ricky Stromberg

As for the interior positions, it's a much clearer decision. The starting three is set in Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson. By keeping Luke Newman and Ryan Bates, the Bears can roster two players who could realistically play any of the three positions up-front in a pinch. I've particularly been impressed with Newman, the team's sixth-round draft pick.

Based on previous seasons, having depth on the squad is a necessity. So, I'm fine adding two players back after cuts to make sure the team has plenty of options to chose from if they need to call one up.

Practice Squad Prediction: Doug Kramer Jr. and Bill Murray

Defensive End (4)

In: Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, and Dominique Robinson
Out: Daniel Hardy, Jamree Kromah, Xavier Carlton**, and Tanoh Kpassagnon

Same four edge rushers and I'm pleased with what Austin Booker and Dominique Robinson showed in the preseason as depth players at this position.

Daniel Hardy is a player I'd like to see the Bears keep on the practice squad given his ability to play on special teams. As for Xavier Carlton, I'd like to keep another young guy to continue developing.

Practice Squad Prediction: Daniel Hardy and Xavier Carlton

Interior Defensive Line (5)

In: Gervon Dexter Sr., Grady Jarrett, Andrew Billings, Shemar Turner*, and Chris Williams
Out: Zacch Pickens and Jonathan Ford

Hopes are high with this interior defensive front that saw two new additions in Grady Jarrett and rookie Shemar Turner. Despite missing nearly all of camp, Turner seems to be progressing well from his ankle sprain and should avoid any injury designation to start the season.

As for the final spot, Chris Williams has more than earned a role on this team as a backup, pushing Zacch Pickens off the roster. I'd even take Jonathan Ford over Pickens as well on the practice squad.

Practice Squad Prediction: Jonathan Ford

Linebacker (4)

In: Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell, Ruben Hyppolite II*
Out: Amen Ogbongbemiga, Carl Jones Jr., Swayze Bozeman, and Power Echols**

Once again, I don't see five linebackers making the initial roster considering how Dennis Allen views his defensive backs. A four-man group of Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell, and Ruben Hyppolite II is sufficient enough with Sewell and Hyppolite playing special teams.

As for the practice squad, keeping two extras would be ideal with a veteran in Amen Ogbongbemiga and a rookie in Power Echols.

Practice Squad Prediction: Amen Ogbongbemiga and Power Echols

Cornerback (7)

In: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Nahshon Wright, Josh Blackwell, Nick McCloud, and Zah Frazier
Out: Tre Flowers, Mekhi Garner, and Kaleb Hayes
Reserve (injured): Shaun Wade and Terell Smith (season-ending)

Cornerback is still a fascinating position for the Bears when it comes down to how many the coaches decide to keep on the initial roster.

Really it comes down to o ne/two spots behind Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Nahshon Wright and Josh Blackwell. Following Terell Smith's injury, keeping an additional depth player on the boundary would be a strong priority , and giving a spot to a versatile player like Nick McCloud makes sense. But, then what happens to rookie Zah Frazier?

The team's fifth-round pick missed all of training camp due to a personal matter but was finally spotted briefly on Wednesday, although he still hasn't practiced since the spring. I still think Frazier makes this roster, saying everything is good to go from this point on.

Practice Squad Prediction: Mekhi Garner

Safety (4)

In: Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, and Elijah Hicks
Out: Tysheem Johnson**, Alex Cook, Millard Bradford, and Mark Perry

Safety position remains the same and it's worth noting all four players here will be playing on expiring contracts going into the regular season. Eyes will be on Jaquan Brisker to see if he can stay healthy and earn another deal and whether or not Kevin Byard shows any decline.

Tysheem Johnson can give the team a little long-term boost as a practice squad guy and the coaches seemed to like using Alex Cook all over the field on offense and defense in the preseason. His versatility is worth keeping around in some fashion.

Practice Squad Prediction: Tysheem Johnson and Alex Cook

Specialists (3)

In: Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor (P), and Scott Daly (LS)
Out: Luke Elkin** (LS)

Same special teams unit as 2024, but it's worth noting the improvements Cairo Santos has made with his distance and Tory Taylor has made with his tool belt. Just to have some roster security on teams, Luke Elkin gets the final spot on the practice squad.

Practice Squad Prediction: Luke Elkin