5 Chicago Bears Players Who Should See Their Roles Expand in 2015

The Chicago Bears have been busy adding new pieces to their roster this offseason via free agency, but there are a handful of players already on the roster who could see their roles expand in 2015.

Much of the focus this offseason will be placed on how much of an impact additions like Pernell McPhee, Eddie Royal and Antrel Rolle will have after signing big free-agent contracts, but good NFL teams also get production from less-heralded players who are already on their rosters. 

In order for the Bears to be successful this season, they are going to need to get production out of a handful of players who had limited opportunities last season. 

Here are five Chicago Bears who should see their roles expand in 2015.

LB David Bass

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Drafted in the seventh round of the 2013 draft by the Oakland Raiders, David Bass spent all of training camp with the Raiders before he was waived and claimed by the Bears that September.

He appeared in 12 games in 2013 with one start and registered 15 tackles, one sack, one pass deflection and he returned an interception for a touchdown.

Last season he appeared in just eight games, but he registered 10 tackles and three sacks. 

He was lost in the shuffle much of last season, and although he showed flashes as a 4-3 defensive end, he is likely better suited playing outside linebacker in a 3-4.

Bleacher Report's Brandon Alisoglu highlighted Bass' strengths in a 2013 scouting report, writing:

"

Bass is a solid athlete with impressive speed (4.82 at the combine, 4.69 at his pro day) and great lateral quickness. His 4.33 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle was the fourth-best time at the combine for defensive ends, which was quicker than super freaks Dion Jordan and Barkevious Mingo.

On the field, he's a natural pass-rusher. Bass used his speed and agility to record the most sacks in Missouri Western State history (39.5) and was incredibly durable (50 consecutive starts).

"

Bass never got consistent playing time under former defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, and he could see his role expand in 2015 if he is given the opportunity to rush the quarterback out of a two-point stance.

He lacks the overall strength to match up with opposing offensive linemen off the snap of the ball, but he is quick and athletic enough to be able to win some one-on-one battles as an outside linebacker.

The linebacker position will be crowded in 2015, but Bass' athleticism alone should give him an opportunity to show what he can do as a pass-rusher.

RB Ka'Deem Carey

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A fourth-round pick of the Bears last May, running back Ka'Deem Carey was used sparingly in 2014.

Carey finished last season with just 158 yards on 36 carries and, according to Pro Football Focus, he played just 100 snaps on offense.

When he was drafted last spring, he appeared to be a player who could come in and spell Matt Forte at times, but was not given the opportunity. NFL.com's Nolan Nawrocki praised Carey in his scouting report last offseason, and he viewed Carey as a running back who could carry the load if needed, writing:

"

Outstanding two-year production -- piled up 3,814 yards and 42 touchdowns on the ground from 2012-13, ranking among the nation's most prolific. Terrific compete level and determination -- runs with energy, doesn't go down easily and punctuates runs. Tries to punish tacklers and keeps his legs pumping -- grinds out yards after contact. Good feet, acceleration and lateral agility. Spins off contact. Reliable short receiver. Gets upfield with urgency after the catch and has enough shiftiness to create. Willing to throw a shoulder blow into rushers. Can handle a heavy workload -- averaged 26 carries per game the last two seasons.

"

Even though Carey was used sparingly last season, he should see an increase in reps in 2015 in Adam Gase's new offense.

Gase and head coach John Fox found success late last season in Denver running the football with Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson, and they will likely try to use two or three running backs in their ground attack next season.

Forte will undoubtedly be the No. 1 running back, but Carey will have to fight Jacquizz Rodgers to be the backup. Rodgers signed a one-year deal earlier this week and gives the team an experienced third-down back.

Carey will have to battle with Rodgers for playing time this season, but if the Bears commit to the running game in 2015, Carey should have ample opportunities to carry the football.

LB Christian Jones

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State last offseason, Christian Jones appeared in all 16 games for the Bears and registered 69 tackles and two sacks.

He was once projected to go somewhere in the middle rounds of last year's draft, and he used his draft snub as motivation last season.

"It's a lot of motivation," said Jones last offseason, according to Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. "It's going to help fuel me, [but] I believe that things happen for a reason. I really feel like I belong here and I'm just making the best out of this opportunity."

He played both strong-side linebacker and weak-side linebacker in 2014, and he has a chance to play in a couple of different spots this season in Vic Fangio's new 3-4 defense.

One way the Bears can use him in 2015 is as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. He is aggressive off the edge and has enough strength to shed blockers. In addition to his strength, he is quick and athletic and has a nose for the football.

Another way the Bears can use him this season is at inside linebacker. He is great when attacking the football downhill, but he also has enough lateral quickness to range from sideline to sideline. He will need to improve his pass-coverage skills, but he could also be used as a pass-rusher from the inside. 

He may not find himself in a starting role in 2015, but he is a talented player and Fangio will likely do his best to get him on the field as often as possible. 

TE Zach Miller

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Before injuring his foot in the preseason last summer, tight end Zach Miller looked like a lock to make Chicago's roster.

He caught six passes for 68 yards with two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason opener, but he injured his foot against the Jacksonville Jaguars the next week and was placed on injured reserve.

Miller was drafted in the sixth round back in 2009 out of Nebraska-Omaha by the Jacksonville Jaguars and registered 45 catches for 470 yards with four touchdowns in 33 career games. He was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the 2012 season and was waived that October. He spent training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013 but was released before the start of the season. The Bears signed him that December to a reserve/future contract.

Despite spending all of last season on injured reserve, the Bears signed him to a one-year deal earlier this offseason.

He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he is an athletic tight end who could give Jay Cutler another target in the passing game. 

According to NFLDraftScout.com, Miller ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at his pro day back in 2009. While he likely does not possess that same speed now, he does give the Bears someone who can be a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers.

In addition to creating mismatches with his speed, he could develop into another red-zone target for Cutler because of his size (6'5", 236 lbs). 

As long as Miller can stay healthy in 2015, he should have no problem beating out Dante Rosario, Jacob Maxwell and Blake Annen for the team's No. 2 spot behind Martellus Bennett. 

CB Sherrick McManis

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

A steady special teams contributor for the Bears since 2012, Sherrick McManis signed a one-year deal with the team on Wednesday, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune:

"

#Bears added CB Sherrick McManis & LB Sam Acho on 1-year contracts today.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 1, 2015"

“It’s a blessing to be able to come back and come back home,” McManis said, according to Mayer. “My family is close by. The coaching staff is amazing. I’m excited to work with them as well as getting to see all of my teammates again.”

While McManis has been used primarily on special teams, he could be in the running to be a part of Chicago's nickel package.

He has speed and athleticism to play inside at nickelback, but he may be better suited to play on the outside with Tim Jennings sliding to the inside. 

The team signed veteran Alan Ball and re-signed Al Louis-Jean and Demontre Hurst this offseason, but McManis may finally get a chance to prove himself this offseason with a new coaching staff in place.

“I felt a sense of excitement and eagerness to get to work,” McManis said about his meeting with Chicago's new coaching staff, per Mayer. “I’m excited about coming back and seeing what [the coaches] have to offer and what we as players have to offer so we can put it together and hopefully come out with something special.”

There is no guarantee he will be anything more than a special teams contributor in 2015, but if he gets an opportunity to compete for a spot in training camp, he could end up being the team's No. 3 cornerback when the season starts.

Statistical information courtesy of NFL.com.

Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.

Follow @MattEurich