Chicago Bears Preseason: Who needs a strong showing in finale?

Several Chicago Bears players have a lot to prove in the final preseason game if they want to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Chicago Bears have already announced several players who will not play in the last preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. It is usually assumed that any healthy scratch for the fourth preseason game is assured of a spot on the 53-man roster.

With that being said, there are several roster spots up for grabs, and rookies and veterans alike will battle for them against the Browns. Here are some players who need a strong performance to earn a spot on the 2017 version of the Chicago Bears.

Kyle Fuller, Cornerback

Fuller has actually impressed in training camp and the preseason, and with Prince Amukamara battling an ankle injury, Fuller’s path to a roster spot has become much easier. Fuller was never healthy last season, but this year, things are different. It seems like Fuller has a better grasp of Vic Fangio’s defense and of man-coverage principles. Still just 25 years old, it’s too soon to give up on a former first-round pick. Fuller’s roster spot is safe if he flashes on Thursday.

Ben Braunecker/Daniel Brown, Tight Ends

Before training camp began, it was assumed that veteran Zach Miller would be cut as the team went in a more youthful direction. However, Miller has managed to stay healthy and neither Braunecker or Brown has impressed much. Adam Shaheen and Dion Sims are locks, and Miller probably ends up making the roster as well. The Bears aren’t keeping five tight ends on the 53-man roster, so Braunecker and Brown are likely battling for the fourth and final tight end spot.

Jeremy Langford, Running Back

Langford’s path to a roster spot is a lot easier now that Ka’Deem Carey is out 4-6 weeks with a wrist injury. However, he still faces competition from Benny Cunningham, the former Ram who plays special team very well. Tarik Cohen is the primary backup to Jordan Howard, so Langford is battling for the third running back spot. He was drafted by Ryan Pace — which helps his case — but it’s no sure thing that Langford makes the roster. He needs a strong showing.

Deon Bush, Deiondre’ Hall, and Adrian Amos, Safeties

With Eddie Jackson likely the Week One starter opposite Quintin Demps, all three young safeties face a battle to make the roster. Bush has shown basically nothing this preseason and struggled in limited playing time last year; Hall has switched between cornerback and safety, leaving him deficient in both; and Amos, who was benched late last season, has gone two years without an interception and has not made much improvement from his rookie season.

All three were drafted by Ryan Pace, so there is no advantage at all there. It will all come down to performance, as it should. In reality, the entire safety position behind Jackson and Demps is in flux, as it would not be surprising if Harold Jones-Quartey, Deandre Houston-Carson or Chris Prosinski got the boot as well.

Tanner Gentry, Wide Receiver

Gentry made the highlight reel in Tennessee with his 45-yard touchdown catch from Mitchell Trubisky. The real question is, can he do it again? There are a lot of moving parts in the wide receiving corps, so Gentry has a real shot of making the team. He has good size (which the position lacks outside of Kevin White) and speed, but also has a limited route tree and is still raw. A strong showing against the Browns could force the Bears to put him on the roster, as he might not make it to their practice squad.

Next: 2017 NFL Preseason: Top storyline for each team

Roy Robertson-Harris, Defensive End

One of the Bears stars of the preseason, Robertson-Harris has freakish size (6-7, 294 pounds) and superb athletic ability. He was a long-shot to make the roster before training camp began, but now it would be a shock to see him not make it. Still, we’ve seen many surprise roster decisions from this regime, so another standout performance against Cleveland would go a long way. His main competitors for a spot on the roster are Mitch Unrein and Jaye Howard.

Home/Chicago Bears