Predicting Bears' Top NFL Training Camp Breakout Players

It may take a few years before the Chicago Bears are again a playoff contender, but they'll be looking to make progress during the 2022 season while perhaps surprising some people during the first year under new head coach Matt Eberflus.

The Eberflus era is now underway, after Bears rookies reported to the PNC Center at Halas Hall for their first day of training camp on Saturday. Everybody on Chicago's roster will be there by Tuesday, which is the mandatory report date for all players.

With the Bears going through a period of transition, there's plenty of playing time up for grabs this summer. While some starters are pretty much set before camp even begins, other spots will have open competitions. And the events that transpire throughout the rest of July and August could determine who will be on the field most when the regular season begins.

Here's a look at several players who could be the breakout performers of the Bears' training camp.

Cole Kmet, TE

Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

LAKE FOREST, IL - JUNE 15: Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) looks on during the the Chicago Bears Minicamp on June 15, 2022 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It sure seems like tight end Cole Kmet is on the precipice of a major breakout. He improved from his first NFL season to his second and could become an even greater factor for the team's offense in 2022.

As a rookie in 2020, the 23-year-old had 243 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Last year, he never got into the end zone, but he had 60 catches for 612 yards. He could surpass those numbers in the upcoming season.

Jimmy Graham is no longer in Chicago, so Kmet is the clear No. 1 tight end on the depth chart. And the Bears' receiving corps isn't the deepest unit, which means the Notre Dame product could develop into one of quarterback Justin Fields' top targets.

It will be interesting to see how the 2020 second-round pick fares in his first training camp without Graham on the same roster. That could lead to an impressive showing that will build Kmet's momentum entering the regular season.

Nicholas Morrow, LB

Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

LAKE FOREST, IL - JUNE 15: Chicago Bears linebacker Nicholas Morrow (53) warms up during the the Chicago Bears Minicamp on June 15, 2022 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Over four seasons with the Raiders from 2017-20, Nicholas Morrow was never a star linebacker. However, he was a solid contributor who showed continued improvement, leading to his best year in 2020, when he had 78 tackles, three sacks and one interception in 14 games.

In Chicago, the 27-year-old could be poised for even bigger things. He missed the entire 2021 season due to an ankle injury, so he'll be looking to bounce back and become a reliable starter for the Bears.

Morrow should be a great fit on the defense, and he could thrive while playing beside Roquan Smith. That duo should show the type of impact they can make once they're on the field together during training camp.

Morrow should have plenty of productive years still ahead of him. If he can stay healthy and build off the success he had earlier in his career, he could become one of the Bears' breakout performers this summer.

Velus Jones Jr., WR

Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

LAKE FOREST, IL - JUNE 15: Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) looks on during the the Chicago Bears Minicamp on June 15, 2022 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Velus Jones Jr. may waste no time becoming a contributor for the Bears' offense. Even though the 2022 third-round pick will be a rookie, he's coming to the NFL with a ton of experience.

Already 25, he played six seasons of college football: four at USC from 2016-19, then two at Tennessee from 2020-21. He made most of his impact in the return game, but he became a solid receiving option in his final season with the Volunteers, recording 807 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games.

There will be a bit of a learning curve as Jones heads into his first training camp, but he should pick up on Chicago's offense quickly. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him turning heads within a few weeks, and he may even end up a starter, given Darnell Mooney is the only Bears receiver who likely has a job secured at this point.

Of all the rookies in Chicago's camp this year, Jones has the best chance of being a breakout performer. He should be able to hang with the veterans after attending a few practices.