Chicago Bears: Final 53-man roster prediction after training camp

Running Backs (5)

Who’s in: David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen, Cordarrelle Patterson, Artavis Pierce, Ryan Nall
Practice Squad: Napoleon Maxwell

The Chicago Bears running game suffered because of the poor offensive line play. With a more solid line, the running game could make a big jump. Montgomery could still have a breakout season despite his recent injury. He may miss Week 1 because of that groin pull. Also, the Bears might take more of a precaution and keep him out another week so he doesn’t aggravate the injury.

Cohen and Patterson will run some from the backfield but they’ll also split out wide as receivers. It’ll be running back by committee until Montgomery returns.

That makes Pierce an important piece. If he can take a bulk of the carries in Montgomery’s absence it’ll really help keep the running game afloat. Nall had only two carries for eight yards last season. He was just a lead blocker for the running back. That will be the case again this season.

Of course, all this could get blown up by a big pickup. There were rumors that the Bears were interested in Leonard Fournette. He ultimately signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however.

There is also Alvin Kamara. The New Orleans Saints are reportedly open to trading him, but it will cost a lot. It may cost a first-round pick, and now that the Bears finally have one after giving up two of them to acquire Khalil Mack, they might not want to give another one away. Remember, however, that general manager Ryan Pace has a spotty record drafting in the first round so maybe they will.