Bears roster analysis: Not enough difference-makers

The Bears will return to practice at Halas Hall with a revised 53-man roster as coach John Fox and general manager Ryan Pace enter Year 3 of their rebuilding project. How should we view the team Fox will lead into Sunday’s season opener against Falcons at Soldier Field? We asked the Tribune’s Bears experts for their takes.

Brad Biggs: Floyd needs help

It’s a positive sign that Pernell McPhee was activated from the physically unable to perform list Saturday after missing all of training camp following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Once he’s ready to go, he’ll be an important role player for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, but the Bears have to closely monitor his usage because there are only so many plays left in his balky knees.

The outside linebackers are the ones that put the teeth in a 3-4 base defense, and former first-round draft pick Leonard Floyd appears poised for a big season.

But with the other options being McPhee, Willie Young and Sam Acho, will Floyd be required to drop in coverage more because of his athletic ability, particularly in the base package? That removes him from the pass-rushing equation, which is why the Bears traded up to draft him last year.

If there’s a concern on the roster beyond the wide receivers, it might be the lack of a second outside linebacker with some range, the kind of player who would open up a world of possibilities for Fangio.

The starting secondary has been completely revamped with the additions of cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper and safeties Quintin Demps and Eddie Jackson. It’s an upgrade, but how big of one? The starting defensive unit failed to register a takeaway in the preseason.

Rich Campbell: Can they score?

I look at this 53-man roster and wonder from where the points are going to come from.

Jordan Howard (seven touchdowns as a rookie) has to stay healthy and carry a heavy load. Behind him and around him are unproven or average players when it comes to scoring production. Kendall Wright has been in the end zone 18 times in his five-year career, the most of any Bears skill-position player, but that’s fewer than four touchdowns per season.

There are far more questions than answers: Can Zach Miller (13 career touchdowns) stay healthy? Will Kevin White (zero) prove he was worth the seventh pick in 2015? Can rookie Tarik Cohen’s preseason flashes translate to a productive part-time role?

Defensively, the lack of star power puts a ceiling on what to expect. The Bears remain the only NFL team without a defensive player who has been to a Pro Bowl. The other 31 have a least one defensive Pro Bowler from the last two seasons. In other words, the Bears are trailing in the personnel department, which showed last season in their NFL-record-low 11 takeaways.

A healthy front seven would be a team strength, as the preseason showed, but the defense won’t be dominant until it starts taking the ball away. To that end, second-year outside linebacker Leonard Floyd must be the catalyst. That’s a premier position in a 3-4 front, and it’s too thin behind him.

Dan Wiederer: Few playmakers

The optimist will look at the Bears roster and see a path to progress. At first glance, general manager Ryan Pace seems to have assembled a group that is more talented and more competitive than what the team went to battle with a year ago. There’s reason to feel encouraged — or at least hopeful — about the depth Pace has supplied at positions like tight end, running back and inside linebacker. Even on the defensive line.

On the whole, Pace and coach John Fox have met their goals of packing the roster with smart, tough, unselfish players, characteristics they believe can accelerate the return to relevance. But zoom out and it’s worth remembering that the Bears are a last-place team with a .281 winning percentage the last two seasons. So any discussion about progress remains relative.

And the most glaring question looming as Week 1 arrives: Where are the playmakers? We’re talking every-week difference-makers, standouts who affect every game.

The Bears tied an NFL single-season record for fewest takeaways last season with 11. They also finished tied for 28th in points scored. Toughness, intelligence and character count for something. But touchdowns count for even more. So who are the proven home run hitters on offense? Jordan Howard? Sure. But who else?

And who will fill the highlight reel with repeated splash plays on defense? Akiem Hicks and Leonard Floyd? Perhaps. But who else?

To make a long story short, the Bears should be better in 2017. (After last year, that’s practically inevitable.) But will they be good? The search for stars continues.

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