Early Predictions for the Chicago Bears' Final 53-Man Roster

With the draft in the books, the Chicago Bears now have their full set of players they will bring to training camp. A few more minor moves might be made between now and then, but it's time to start focusing on who might make this team.

The team is making a transition to a 3-4 defense. This means some guys are going to have to step up and play a different position for the first time in their career.

It also means more linebackers will be kept on the roster and cuts are going to have to be made elsewhere to compensate.

On offense, running back, offensive line and tight end are areas to pay attention to. How many backs, linemen and tight ends are kept on the roster will be interesting as new offensive coordinator Adam Gase instills his philosophy.

Head coach John Fox will have plenty of tough calls to make, but we wanted to take an early look at who could make this team. Here's our early prediction for the opening-day roster.

Projected Depth Chart

QB 1: Jay Cutler

QB 2: Jimmy Clausen

The Bears have so many other needs on the roster that it's tough right now to see them using an extra roster spot on David Fales or undrafted rookie Shane Carden.

Cutler will be the starter with Clausen as the backup. If any guy gets hurt, then we might see either Fales or Carden on the roster. Both Fales and Carden will be in an open competition to see who gets to stick around on the practice squad.

Projected Depth Chart

RB 1: Matt Forte

RB 2: Ka'Deem Carey

RB 3: Jeremy Langford

RB 4: Jacquizz Rodgers 

As of right now, Jacquizz Rodgers makes this team because of what he can do on special teams. He will remain a fringe player who will really have to force the Bears into keeping him as a fourth back, but he certainly can do it.

He's not a better between-the-tackles back than Ka'Deem Carey, while Jeremy Langford has more upside as a receiver and blocker on third down.

Carey should bounce back from a rough rookie season. His style fits well into what John Fox and Adam Gase want to do, which is grind out yards between the tackles and chew up time.

Matt Forte will still get a ton of touches, but look for the Bears to use Carey and Langford more as they rest Forte and get a good look at what they have for the future.

Projected Depth Chart

WR 1: Alshon Jeffery

WR 2: Kevin White

WR 3: Eddie Royal

WR 4: Marquess Wilson

WR 5: Marc Mariani

In the past, the Bears have kept six receivers on the roster, but that likely changes this year. With the 3-4 scheme coming, the team needs too many other extra bodies in the front seven to keep a sixth receiver.

Look for the Bears to get back to running the ball consistently, so they will be in a lot of two-tight end sets and will very rarely have more than three receivers on the field at a time.

The top three names aren't very surprising.

Alshon Jeffery now has to step up and be the man, but he'll get some help from first-round pick Kevin White. Eddie Royal fits in perfectly in the slot and Marquess Wilson offers value as a sub on the inside or outside.

Marc Mariani was a surprising bright spot when he joined the team late last year. He provides stability and experience in the return game and should be the favorite to win the job again. He might split time with Jacquizz Rodgers, but Mariani's role on this team is strictly as a return man.

Projected Depth Chart

TE 1: Martellus Bennett

TE 2: Zach Miller

TE 3: Dante Rosario

TE 4: Bear Pascoe

There's no fullback on the roster, so keeping four tight ends makes a ton of sense. Bear Pascoe is a guy who can line up on the line of scrimmage or in the backfield as a lead blocker.

Zach Miller gives the Bears a ton of value as another receiving tight end. You might remember his strong start to training camp and the preseason last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury in a preseason game against Jacksonville.

Dante Rosario has been relegated to blocking duties but might see some touches in this new offense. Martellus Bennett returns as one of the league's best tight ends. He will look to have a statement year while in search of a new contract.

Projected Depth Chart

LT: Jermon Bushrod

LG: Matt Slauson

C: Hronnis Grasu

RG: Kyle Long

RT: Jordan Mills

Reserve Tackles: Charles Leno, Tayo Fabuluje

Reserve Guards: Michael Ola, Vladimir Ducasse

Reserve Center: Will Montgomery

Barring injury, the only concern on this Bears offensive line is at right tackle. It's going to be interesting to see if Jordan Mills can bounce back after a subpar sophomore campaign.

Will Montgomery is a veteran center who's played under John Fox, but the team didn't draft Hronnis Grasu in the third round to see him ride the bench. Grasu will have every chance to win the starting role and will likely take full advantage.

Kyle Long is emerging as one of the league's best guards and the face of the franchise. Matt Slauson is very steady at the other guard spot and Jermon Bushrod remains a very serviceable left tackle.

There's a good mix of youth and depth on the bench here for the Bears. Vladimir Ducasse has started 11 games in his career, and it will be interesting to see how sixth-round pick Tayo Fabuluje shakes out.

Projected Depth Chart

LDE: Jay Ratliff

NT: Eddie Goldman

RDE: Ray McDonald

Reserve Defensive Ends: Ego Ferguson, Jarvis Jenkins

Reserve Defensive tackle: Will Sutton 

This by far is the toughest group to project. The Bears will likely roll with these six players, but it's still a complete mystery as to where they will all line up.

Jay Ratliff can play either the end or tackle spot. He will likely start on the outside because second-round pick Eddie Goldman is a better fit as a run-stuffing nose tackle.

Ray McDonald has had past success in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's system, but last year's second-round pick, Ego Ferguson, is big, hungry and figures to be a better long-term fit.

Will Sutton is undersized but can rush the passer, while Jarvis Jenkins is a former second-round pick from Washington who has a ton of talent.

Projected Depth Chart

LOLB: Pernell McPhee

LILB: Jon Bostic

RILB: Mason Foster

ROLB: Jared Allen

Reserve OLB: Lamarr Houston, Willie Young

Reserve ILB: Sam Acho, Shea McClellin, Christian Jones 

Like with the defensive line, it's tough to project how the linebackers will shake out. There will likely be a ton of players rotated in and out depending on the game situation.

Pernell McPhee is the team's prized free agent and expected to be the primary pass-rusher. Jared Allen is switching to a new position at the ripe age of 33 and Jon Bostic will get another crack at playing inside.

Willie Young and Lamarr Houston are both returning from injury. Houston has to be the favorite to be the first player rotated in because of his past experience and success in a 3-4 system from his days in Oakland.

Mason Foster is a good fit next to Bostic. The two should be able to rack up a ton of tackles as long as the boys up front keep offensive linemen at bay.

Sam Acho can play inside or out, so he's very valuable as a sub . Shea McClellin just wants to find success anywhere. Christian Jones can be a special teams monster while he continues to develop on defense.

Projected Depth Chart

LCB: Tim Jennings

RCB: Kyle Fuller

Nickel: Demontre Hurst

Reserves: Alan Ball, Al Louis-Jean, Sherrick McManis

Kyle Fuller had a solid rookie campaign last year. He will look to take another step toward becoming a Pro Bowl corner in this new-look defense.

Tim Jennings regressed last year, so it's going to be interesting to see if he can come close to regaining his old form. Demontre Hurst will get the early reps at nickel, but Sherrick McManis is poised and ready to step in if needed.

Alan Ball and Al Louis-Jean are rangy corners who can step in when fatigue and injuries pop up.

Projected Depth Chart

FS: Adrian Amos

SS: Antrel Rolle

Reserves: Brock Vereen, Ryan Mundy

It might be a surprise right now to see Adrian Amos listed as the starter, but you will see why he's here once training camp begins. Amos is the only pure single-high safety on the roster and should have no problem beating out Ryan Mundy or Brock Vereen at free safety.

Veteran Antrel Rolle brings a ton of leadership with him from New York. He will be the in-the-box hitter and help out in run support.

Vereen and Mundy are quality reserves who can offer a ton of value on special teams.

Projected Depth Chart

K: Robbie Gould

P: Pat O'Donnell

LS: Thomas Gafford

There are no surprises here. Robbie Gould will look to bounce back after attempting a career-low 12 kicks last year. Pat O'Donnell enters his second season in the league and should be more comfortable punting in Soldier Field.

The Bears were smart to bring in Thomas Gafford from Kansas City. He offers veteran leadership which was sorely missing following the retirement of Patrick Mannelly.