One thing should be mentioned with crystal clarity. The Chicago Bears roster as it stands likely won’t be the one that enters the 2018 regular season. There’s a strong likelihood that GM Ryan Pace could make a couple more moves before the real action begins, doing whatever possible to shore up his depth chart for what is hopefully a good year.
One of the things he does best is digging around others rosters across the league to find possible hidden gems to help the cause. In 2015 he landed Harold Jones-Quartey on waivers from Arizona and he delivered some quality snaps as a rookie. A year later it was cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc who has become a solid reserve. Last season it was running back Benny Cunningham. He’s now their third running back and a special teams fixture.
So there is definite value in this constant churning of the roster. So are there any early preseason standouts who could end up on the street that the Bears should consider? Here are a few names worth watching.
JoJo Natson (WR, Los Angeles Rams)
This will depend heavily on how much the Bears prioritize special teams over offensive capability at the bottom of their receiver depth chart. Offensively it’s difficult because Natson is only 5’7 and 153 lbs. People might argue Tarik Cohen but he’s 20 lbs heavier. Where Natson shines is in the return game. In his first action against Baltimore for the Rams, he had over 200 return yards total including a punt return that went over 20 yards. He’s quick, agile and shows good vision.
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How many guys missed on that punt return?!?!?! More to come from JoJo Natson as he competes with the Rams starting in under a week! #BESTFootball pic.twitter.com/kyuSkvudVI
— BEST FOOTBALL (@BESTFBAGENCY) August 3, 2018
James Cowser (DE, Oakland Raiders)
The arrival of a new coaching staff could end up creating some upheaval on the depth chart before preseason is over in Oakland. One player who could be in trouble is James Cowser. At 6’3, 245 lbs it was always a stretch he could play defensive end. He can rush the passer though. He had 43 sacks in college and scouts said he could make a strong candidate for a 3-4 outside linebacker. That should certainly ring bells for Chicago, especially after Cowser started strong with a sack in his first game.
Jayrone Elliott (OLB, New Orleans Saints)
He spent three years trying to crack the starting lineup in Green Bay before getting traded to Dallas for a year. Neither worked out for him. The former Toledo product chose to sign with the New Orleans Saints this offseason and is off to a good start with two sacks in his first game. The problem? New Orleans spent their first rounder on Marcus Davenport. Together with former second rounder Hau’oli Kikaha and former third rounder Trey Hendrickson, it looks like there just might not be enough room for him.
Jayrone Elliott with the strip sack! #Saints have a redzone opportunity with 3:20 remaining in the 4th #NOvsJAX pic.twitter.com/cDRfmoSx6I
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2018
Sharif Finch (OLB, Tennessee Titans)
Another team that just got done adding a high draft pick to their edge rusher group, making it harder for those deeper on the depth chart to crack the roster. Sharif Finch is one such example. The former Temple product signed as an undrafted free agent this year and already has a sack in his first game. Against Green Bay no less. Temple players are known for being tough with high motors. Given his growing experience in a 3-4 defense, this is one to watch for sure.
Kaare Vedvik (P, Baltimore Ravens)
If the Bears were so confident in Pat O’Donnell, they wouldn’t be carrying two punters on the depth chart. Clearly they’re open to the idea of a switch if they can find somebody worthwhile. The name that stands out most to date is Kaare Vedvik. The rookie from Marshall was brought in as competition for veteran Sam Koch. It’s unclear if he’ll win that battle, but he’s trying. He’s averaging 47.8 yards per punt thus far in the preseason with four of them downed inside the 20 with no touchbacks.
