OUR PICKS TO STICK
WITH 90 PLAYERS SET TO START CAMP, WE SELECT OUR 53
20 PRINCE A MUKAMARA Seventh year 6- 0, 202, Nebraska Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2017.
Age: 28. NFL experience: 69 games ( 57 starts). Background: A first- round draft pick ( 19th overall) by the Giants in 2011, Amukamara suffered a broken foot in the second practice of his first training camp and struggled with injuries throughout his five seasons in New York. He fell out of favor in 2015 after a tough return from a chest injury and wasn’t re- signed. He signed with the Jaguars in 2016 and had an unremarkable season, with no interceptions for the first time in his career.
The skinny: Amukamara has been an effective but unspectacular ( seven career interceptions) player when he has been healthy. Behind a front seven that appears to be primed for a big season, he might be at the right place at the right time. If he learns quickly and stays on the field, he’ll be an upgrade over the player Tracy Porter was last season. 25 MARCUS COOPER Fifth year 6- 2, 192, Rutgers Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2017.
Age: 27. NFL experience: 53 games ( 24 starts). Background: A seventh- round draft pick by the 49ers ( 252nd overall) in 2013, Cooper was released in the cutdown to 53 and was signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad. He started 11 games in three seasons with the Chiefs before being traded to the Cardinals before Week 1 of last season. He thrived playing opposite Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson, starting 13 games and leading the Cardinals with four interceptions. He was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl.
The skinny: Cooper figures to open training camp as a starter at cornerback opposite Prince Amukamara, but one good season in a good defense hardly makes him a sure thing. Still, he’s only 27 and might end up being in the right place at the right time on an improving defense. 37 BRYCE CALLAHAN Third season 5- 10, 191, Rice Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Age: 25. NFL experience: 20 games ( 13 starts). Background: Callahan showed promise as a rookie after being promoted from the practice squad in Week 7 in 2015. He had 23 tackles, seven pass breakups, four tackles for loss and one sack in nine games. He built on that rookie season in 2016 but was limited by injuries. He had 36 tackles and nine pass breakups in 11 games ( 10 starts).
The skinny: What Callahan lacks in size, he makes up for with leaping ability and versatility. The additions of Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper likely will force him to battle Cre’Von LeBlanc for the starting nickel position. But even if he wins that battle, Callahan will have to prove he can stay healthy. 22 CRE’VON LEBLANC Second season 5- 11, 190, Florida Atlantic Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.
Age: 23. NFL experience: 13 games ( nine starts). Background: LeBlanc was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He was released in the cutdown to 53 despite a strong preseason performance and quickly was signed by the Bears. He was on the field by Week 3, was a starter by Week 7 and tied Tracy Porter for the team lead in pass breakups with 13 and interceptions with two.
The skinny: The Bears are desperate for playmakers in the secondary, so LeBlanc will get every chance to build on his promising rookie season. If he takes the next step, he figures to be on the field a lot in 2017. 23 KYLE FULLER Fourth season 6- 0, 190, Virginia Tech Acquired: First- round pick ( 14th overall) in 2014.
Age: 25. NFL experience: 32 games ( 30 starts). Background: Made a virtually immediate impact with two interceptions in a victory against the 49ers in Week 2 of his rookie season and another against the Jets the next week. But he has struggled to build on that hot start and has been an enigma ever since. He didn’t play last season after having seemingly routine arthroscopic knee surgery early in the preseason.
The skinny: Drafted for a zone defense but now playing in a man, Fuller still has potential, but his future might not be with the Bears. He first has to prove he’s healthy after a surprisingly long rehab from arthroscopic surgery. Then he has to prove he can be effective in coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense. And he’s facing more competition than he has dealt with before.
35 JOHNTHAN BANKS Fifth season 6- 2, 185, Mississippi State Acquired: Claimed off waivers after being cut by the Lions in 2016.
Age: 27. NFL experience: 54 games ( 39 starts). Background: The winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in college football in 2012 and a second- round draft pick by the Buccaneers ( 43rd overall) in 2013, Banks started 30 games and had seven interceptions in his first two seasons with the Bucs. He lost his starting job in 2015 and was traded to the Lions in Week 9 of last season. The Lions released him after he played two games, and the Bears signed him. He started the last two games of last season and had one pass breakup and five tackles.
The skinny: Banks enters training camp under the radar. But with his size, athleticism and knack for turnovers, he figures to get a good shot at proving he can be a difference- maker on a defense that desperately needs takeaways.
27 SHERRICK MCMANIS Eighth season 6- 1, 192, Northwestern Acquired: Trade with Texans for fullback Tyler Clutts in 2012.
Age: 29. NFL experience: 94 games ( five starts). Background: A fifth- round draft pick ( 144th overall) by the Texans in 2010, McManis has been a special- teams ace for most of his career. He has led the Bears in special- teams tackles the last two seasons ( 13 in 2016, 17 in 2017) and has ranked
among the top three in all five of his seasons with the team.
The skinny: McManis is a valuable and costefficient special- teams player and mentor, but he isn’t a factor on defense after struggling in four starts at cornerback in 2015. So once those players he mentors give the Bears the special- teams upgrades they’re looking for, McManis’ roster spot will be tenuous. 43 RASHAAD REYNOLDS Fourth season 5- 11, 187, Oregon State Acquired: Signed to the practice squad as a free agent in Week 17 of 2017. Age: 26. NFL experience: None.
Background: Signed by the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Reynolds spent his rookie season on injured reserve after suffering a broken hand during the preseason. He was on the Jaguars’ practice squad in 2015 before being released in Week 16. He signed with the Lions two weeks into training camp last season and was waived in the cutdown to 75. The Bears signed him to their practice squad in Week 17 last season.
The skinny: Reynolds comes into training camp as a virtual unknown. He’ll need some breaks to make an impact, and opportunities might be difficult in a crowded secondary with many other prospects and newcomers ahead of him.
30 B. W. WEBB Fifth season 5- 11, 190, William& Mary Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2017.
Age: 27. NFL experience: 49 games ( nine starts). Background: A fourth- round draft pick ( 114th overall) by the Cowboys in 2013, Webb played in 15 games as a rookie but struggled at nickel and was cut the next preseason. He made little impact with the Steelers in 2014 ( 11 games) or the Titans in 2015 ( nine games, two starts), but he found a home in a depleted Saints defense after he was signed in Week 2 of 2016. He had one interception and 11 pass breakups in 14 games last season.
The skinny: The ultimate journeyman, Webb is on his fifth team in five seasons. His experience will be an advantage, but not if promising players such as Cre’Von LeBlanc and Bryce Callahan continue to progress. He comes into training camp as a long shot.