2011 NFL Predictions: Predicting the 2-Deep Chicago Bears Depth Chart for Week 1

The NFL preseason games haven't even started yet and the Chicago Bears have released their first depth chart. And while there aren't a ton of surprises, there are a few eyebrow raisers.

For example, there appears to be a disconnect in logic. On the one hand, they list Chester Taylor ahead of Marion Barber in what seems to be recognition of the fact that Taylor is the holdover from last year at the position.

Yet on the wide receiver chart, they show newly acquired Roy Williams ahead of Johnny Knox. Not only does Knox have seniority with the team, he had a more productive year in 2010 than Williams.

But as we said, preseason is just getting under way this weekend, so this chart will probably change. Recognizing that, I am predicting what it will look like by the time the regular season rolls around.

Come join me.

Wide Receiver

Current Depth Chart

First String: Roy Williams

Second String: Johnny Knox

It's interesting that the Bears show Williams ahead of Knox, when Knox has been here longer and had a better previous season. But it shows what kind on expectations they have for the Mike Martz pupil.

I do feel that Williams will be a primary receiver, but I feel that Knox deserves to be a starter, so I will change this around and list Knox as a starter, with Hester in an increased role, yet still behind Knox on  the depth chart.

Of course, the ranking really doesn't matter much, as all are expected to get playing time in a Martz offense that’s known for its multi-receiver sets.

Meanwhile, Williams will get the top spot later when I list the second WR grouping.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Johnny Knox

Second String: Devin Hester

Left Tackle

Current Depth Chart

First String: J'Marcus Webb

Second String: Frank Omiyale

Even though Gabe Carimi played left tackle in college, most scouts believe his footwork is better suited for the right side. That means that Webb, whom the Bears like, will be protecting Cutler's blind side.

The jury is still out on whether he can be effective there, but he should easily make the Week 1 chart if he doesn't get hurt.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: J'Marcus Webb

Second String: Frank Omiyale

Left Guard

Current Depth Chart

First String: Chris Williams

Second String: Edwin Williams

It seems that Chris Williams has this job handed to him by virtue of being a former first-rounder. I don't expect him to start all season, but the Bears will give him every chance.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Chris Williams

Second String: Edwin Williams

Center

Current Depth Chart

First String: Roberto Garza

Second String: Chris Spencer

Garza is listed here primarily by default, as Edwin Williams was not allowed to practice early on due to the new rules in the CBA. Williams is listed in the depth chart as a RG.

Jerry Angelo made a mistake in not bringing back Olin Kreutz, so he'd better hope that Spencer earns the starting job. 

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Chris Spencer

Second String: Edwin Williams

Right Guard

Current Depth Chart

First String: Lance Louis

Second String: Levi Horn

Levi who? I admit that I had to look up this guy, but sure enough, here is an undrafted free agent listed as second on the depth chart at RG.

If that alone doesn't make you realize the Bears should have gone out and signed an unrestricted free-agent guard, then nothing will.

Meanwhile, I expect that the Garza experiment under center will end and he will open the season as the Bears' starting right guard.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Roberto Garza

Second String: Lance Louis

Right Tackle

Current Depth Chart

First String: Gabe Carimi

Second String: Josh Davis

I understand Carimi, as the club really likes its first-round draft pick out of Wisconsin, but who is Josh Davis?  

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Gabe Carimi

Second String: Frank Omiyale

Tight End

Current Depth Chart

First String: Kellen Davis

Second String: Matt Spaeth

With Greg Olsen traded, expect Kellen Davis to fill his shoes as the catching tight end, though blocking is still what Mike Martz wants from his TEs. That means a healthy dose of Matt Spaeth.

Surprised that they re-signed Desmond Clark? Me too.

Last season, the Bears carried four TEs, but that won't happen this year. Still, Clark makes the final roster.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Matt Spaeth

Second String: Kellen Davis

Wide Receiver No. 2

Current Depth Chart

First String: Devin Hester

Second String: Earl Bennett

Again, as I mentioned in an earlier slide, the ranking isn't very important since all are expected to get playing time in a Martz offense that’s known for its multi-receiver sets.

Still, it looks like Hester came into camp with added muscle and is looking like he and Cutler have a strong connection this spring. But Williams had his only 1,000-yard receiving season when he was last coached by Martz.  

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Roy Williams

Second String: Devin Hester

Quarterback

Current Depth Chart

First String: Jay Cutler

Second String: Caleb Hanie

This one's a no-brainer. If Cutler gets hurt, the Bears are screwed. And Nathan Enderle is not ready to take over if that happens.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Jay Cutler

Second String: Caleb Hanie

Running Back

Current Depth Chart

First String: Matt Forte

Second String: Chester Taylor

Forte is the man, but his contract situation will likely need to be worked out before we see him play in a preseason game. Taylor, on the other hand, is not long for this roster. I only expect the Bears to keep two backs and Barber is definitely going to be one of them.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Matt Forte

Second String: Marion Barber

Left Defensive End

Current Depth Chart

First String: Israel Idonije

Second String: Corey Wootton

This one stacks up about right as far as I am concerned. Idonije had his moments last year but also had games in which he didn't show up. If Wootton can continue his development, he could see more time as the season progresses.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Israel Idonije

Second String: Corey Wootton

Defensive Tackle

Current Depth Chart

First String: Henry Melton/Matt Toeaina 

It seems the Bears took the easy way out by listing both players as first string, while listing Amobi Okoye as third string. Amobi could challenge for playing time at the 3-technique, but it's Henry Melton's job to lose.

Either way, I see Melton and Toeaina rotating in and out at both interior defensive line positions.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Henry Melton

Second String: Matt Toeaina

Nose Tackle

Current Depth Chart

First String: Anthony Adams/Matt Toeaina

Anthony Adams and rookie Stephen Paea are both nursing injuries, but I expect them to split time once both are fully healthy. But that's down the road a bit.

Watch out for Marcus Harrison, who will get time during the preseason and could earn some love from the coaches if he plays well. If not, he could be gone.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Anthony Adams

Second String: Stephen Paea

Right Defensive End

Current Depth Chart

First String: Julius Peppers

Second String: Vernon Gholston/Corey Wootton

 Of course Peppers will start, though he rotates sides, but the team is really liking what it is seeing from Gholston.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Julius Peppers

Second String: Vernon Gholston

Strongside Linebacker

Current Depth Chart

First String: Nick Roach

Second String: J.T. Thomas

The Bears seem to like the rookie Thomas, but if he starts, we're in trouble.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Nick Roach

Second String: J.T. Thomas

Middle Linebacker

Current Depth Chart

First String: Brian Urlacher

Second String: Dom DeCicco

 If you're noticing a trend with the linebackers, it's that the Bears are really in trouble if any of the starters get hurt. DeCicco was an undrafted rookie free agent. Due to the lack of depth, he could actually make the team.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Brian Urlacher

Second String: Dom DeCicco

Weakside Linebacker

Current Depth Chart

First String: Lance Briggs

Second String: Brian Iwuh

 Just as it is for the strongside and middle linebackers on this team, there is very little usable depth here. Brian Iwuh was brought back because he's so good on special teams but if he starts, we're in trouble.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Lance Briggs

Second String: Brian Iwuh

Left Cornerback

Current Depth Chart

First String: Tim Jennings

Second String: Zackary Bowman

Since this is his contract year, Bowman should be plenty motivated to have a breakthrough year if he can stay healthy. Otherwise, this is an area of concern, as I don't like either Jennings or Bowman.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Zackary Bowman

Second String: Tim Jennings

Right Cornerback

Current Depth Chart

First String: Charles Tillman

Second String: Corey Graham

Tillman played well in 2010, but can he stay healthy again for an entire season? If not, the Bears will be in dire straits. Tillman is the only thing keeping the cornerback position from being a glaring weakness. Graham is here for his outstanding special teams play and should not play corner.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Charles Tillman

Second String: Corey Graham

Strong Safety

Current Depth Chart

First String: Chris Harris

Second String: Craig Steltz

 Harris will play his more natural position of strong safety, but Steltz as his backup? That's scary.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Chris Harris

Second String: Craig Steltz

Free Safety

Current Depth Chart

First String: Major Wright

Second String: Chris Conte

Major Wright starting at free safety is another area of concern for the Bears. Still, as good as Conte has looked so far, the lack of experience at this position is alarming.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Major Wright

Second String: Chris Conte

Kicker

Current Depth Chart

First String: Robbie Gould 

This one is easy as the Bears have only one kicker, and his name is Robbie "Good as" Gould.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Robbie Gould

Punter

Current Depth Chart

First String: Adam Podlesh

Second String: Spencer Lanning

While Lanning is kicking very well in camp, there is no chance he takes the job from Podlesh, who signed a contract that will place him in the top five among punter salaries in the NFL.

Podlesh will replace veteran Brad Maynard. There will be only one punter on the roster.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Adam Podlesh

Kickoff Return

Current Depth Chart

First String: Devin Hester

Second String: Johnny Knox

Danieal Manning handled the majority of the kickoffs last season, but he signed with the Texans as a free agent.

For 2011, while Hester is listed on the depth chart ahead of him, I expect Johnny Knox to take the brunt of the kickoffs, with Khalil Bell the backup. 

On a recent radio interview, special teams coordinator Dave Toub hinted strongly that this might be the case, which will give the Bears a reason to keep Bell on the active roster and to keep Hester fresh for punt returns and an increased role at wide receiver.

Projected Depth Chart

First String: Johnny Knox

Second String: Khalil Bell  

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