Chicago Bears Stock Watch: 2017 Preseason Week 3

The Chicago Bears stock watch took some staggering twists and turns during week three of the 2017 preseason action. Who went up or down?

Much of that comes due to the regular two factors:  play on the field and injury. Unfortunately the Bears suffered their fair share of the latter in Tennessee. Already they may have lost their best wide receiver and starting long snapper for the season. That not only makes life tougher on the team, it also completely jumbles up how this roster is going to look come opening day. So who were the Bears that helped their cause most and who may have blundered?

UP:  Kyle Fuller (CB)

The former first round pick looked like he was on the outside looking in at the start of this offseason. He was coming off a knee injury and the Bears had just added two new cornerbacks to the depth chart via free agency. Having not picked up his 5th year option, it was clear the Bears were making this his make-or-break year. After a strong training camp he has begun to regain the solid form he had in late 2015 before his injury. He’s aggressively attacking the football and not giving up too much in coverage. His strong showing in Tennessee should cement his spot.

DOWN:  Victor Cruz (WR)

One could say you live by the Trubisky and die by the Trubisky. Victor Cruz had a golden opportunity on his hands. He’d get a chance to play extensively with the Bears’ prized #2 overall draft pick, giving him plenty of camera time to prove he deserves another chance in the NFL. Yet in two of the past three games he had delivered some cringe-worthy drops on perfect passes from the rookie. Considering the Bears’ depth of options at slot wide receiver, this is not good for him.

UP:  Tanner Gentry (WR)

Meanwhile another receiver had his coming out moment to some extent. Local Chicago media had been mentioning the name Tanner Gentry for weeks. The undrafted free agent from Wyoming was tearing up training camp with plenty of highlight-reel plays but aside from one notable catch in the opener against Denver had not made much noise. Then he popped wide open on a vertical route and Trubisky nailed him in stride for a 45-yard touchdown. With Cameron Meredith done for the year, that play may have gotten the rookie onto the roster.

DOWN:  Adrian Amos (S)

The final destruction of Adrian Amos as a starter seems to have passed. Eddie Jackson started the game at safety opposite Quintin Demps while Amos, who’d started the previous two seasons was relegated to the reserve squad. Per usual he was a help against the run but once again failed to make any sort of impactful play. That was the primary reason his job was in jeopardy and this game was just more proof that the Bears no longer needed.

UP:  Bradley Sowell (OT)

This is a name that has flown under the radar the past few weeks. Bradley Sowell has quietly established himself as the runaway favorite for the swing tackle position. He’s played steady, good football on offense with his pass protection. If that weren’t enough he added extra value to his stock when he did a solid job filling in as emergency long snapper when Patrick Scales went down with his knee injury. Versatility is something the Bears covet, and he showed it.

DOWN:  Prince Amukamara (CB)

There’s been plenty of talk about how well free agent Prince Amukamara has played in training camp. Unfortunately fans really haven’t gotten to see it. After a steady debut against Denver, Amukamara didn’t play in Arizona due to a hamstring problem. Then on the first play of the Tennessee game he appeared to injure his ankle and left the stadium in a walking boot. Sad to say this does nothing to erase the problems he’s had throughout his career and validates the Bears’ decision to sign him only to a one-year deal.