Chicago Bears: Predicting the 2017 53-man roster before training camp
Cornerback
Starters: Prince Amukamara, Marcus Cooper and Cre’von LeBlanc
Backups: Bryce Callahan, Deiondre’ Hall and Sherrick McManis
The defensive backfield as a whole was an issue for the Chicago Bears was a mess last season, and the cornerbacks were not an exception. I guess that’s what happens when you go through the year with an aging Tracy Porter as your number one cornerback.
Porter is now gone and the Bears made significant additions to the position in free agency. Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper were brought in on free agent deals and are likely to line up as the primary starters on the outside.
Amukamara is a former first-round pick (19th overall in 2011), who shows strong overall coverage skills on the outside. He is not an elite shutdown corner on the outside, but Amukamara will hold his own on a consistent basis.
That is something that the Bears have severely been lacking in recent years. Amukamara is probably best suited as a number two cornerback, but will likely take on the best receiver on the other side a majority of the time in 2017. Amukamara is not elite, but he is a solid cornerback who is not going to kill you.
More from Da Windy City
- Juan Soto appears headed to the Yankees which is not a big blow Chicago Cubs offseason
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
Cooper had a big year with the Arizona Cardinals last season and probably has more natural upside for the Bears. He shows great length and athleticism on the outside, making him a strong fit for Vic Fangio’s defense. Cooper plays well in press coverage, a particular advantage for a Fangio cornerback. Amukamara is more of a sure thing, but Cooper’s overall talent is incredibly intriguing on the outside.
Arguably the most interesting training camp battle for the Chicago Bears this season will be at slot cornerback. Both Cre’von LeBlanc and Bryce Callahan have shown a lot of ability in the slot and would be a strong defender at the position. LeBlanc is more of a natural playmaker, while Callahan is a quick and tough player on the inside. This battle to be the primary slot defender will be tough to judge, but I give the slight edge to LeBlanc. Regardless, both players will be on the roster.
These four are all pretty much roster locks. That leaves likely two spots for four players. Kyle Fuller, B.W. Webb, Sherrick McManis and Deiondre’ Hall all make sense for different reasons. It is hard to see the Bears cutting Fuller, but with so many enticing at the position, trading him is a strong possibility. In these projections, Fuller gets traded by the Bears, leaving two spots for three players.
McManis is a special teams star who can also contribute as a slot defender. I’d be surprised (not shocked) if he is not on the opening week roster. The Bears just signed Webb to a free agent contract this offseason, but it’s not like they made a huge commitment (one year, $1.5 million). They could try to sneak Hall onto the practice squad, but he showed a lot of upside last season. I imagine that someone would scoop him up.
The final cornerback was a tough one to pick, but Hall gets the edge. He is an extremely long and athletic cornerback who showed a lot of upside on the outside. He would have a chance to be a strong backup to Cooper and Amukamara and even has some traits for the safety position as well. Hall’s potential and versatility makes him a strong fit for this roster.