Chicago Bears: Top 5 Training Camp Position Battles
By Erik Lambert
Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Marquess Wilson (10) looks to get around Detroit Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis (31) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
John Fox and his new Chicago Bears coaching staff have a ton to sort through before the 2015 NFL season kicks off in September. Namely it comes down to finding out the order of their depth chart, which will require head-to-head competitions throughout the roster.
Which ones bear watching the most?
Wide Receiver: Kevin White vs. Marquess Wilson
Being the 1st round pick typically affords a player almost a certain starting spot on the field. Most expect that from wide receiver Kevin White to be out there opening day flanking Alshon Jeffery. It’s a fair assumption, but makes it easy to overlook the presence of Marquess Wilson. The former 7th round pick has a lot of ability and looked really good heading into the preseason last year before he suffered an untimely broken collarbone. Nobody is paying him any mind, but he has a chip on his shoulder now.
What better way to get people remembering him than by keeping a 1st round pick on the sideline?
Right Tackle: Jordan Mills vs. Tayo Fabuluje
The offensive line in general remains in a state of flux but if there was one position labeled with a giant question mark, it’s right tackle. Jordan Mills played very poorly last season, leaving his starting job in jeopardy. One might think 6th round pick Tayo Fabuluje is no threat, at least not yet. However, it’s important to remember Mills was a 5th round pick in 2013 when he gained the job. The thought isn’t crazy, and Fabuluje is a perfect fit for it.
Defensive End: Jarvis Jenkins vs. Ego Ferguson
To call it a jumbled mess would be a bit over the top, but it’s clear that the defensive line situation for the Chicago Bears is foggy at best. Nobody is sure where most of the players on the depth chart are going to end up. Recently though one player, second-year man Ego Ferguson hinted he was dropping weight for a shift to defensive end. That would put him in direct competition with Jarvin Jenkins, a free agent hoping to get past his rough stay in Washington. He has the experience, but Ferguson has the athletic upside.
Inside Linebacker: Shea McClellin vs. Christian Jones
Mason Foster was brought in to settle one of the inside linebacker spots. As for the other it’s a wide open race, and could be looked on as a last hurrah for former 1st round pick Shea McClellin. It will mark his second position change in three years and he hopes it will be the last because if he fails there, his time in Chicago may be over. Opposing him, ironically is former undrafted free agent Christian Jones who flashed a lot of ability last season. This one may come down to who can make the impact plays in preseason.
Free Safety: Ryan Mundy vs. Adrian Amos
After signing Antrel Rolle in free agency, the strong safety position will be his moving forward. That leaves some questions at the free safety spot. Firs assumptions are Ryan Mundy will switch over there after playing strong last season, but his skill set doesn’t match very well with what the free position requires: athleticism, speed and coverage instincts. That is why 5th round pick Adrian Amos is his biggest threat. All of those traits were big strengths of his coming out of Penn State.