8 hardest cuts from our final Bears 53-man roster projection

With the preseason in the books, roster cutdowns are looming. The Chicago Bears need to trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 3 p.m. That means there are going to be some difficult cuts for them to make as they fill out their team.

Earlier this offseason, general manager Ryan Poles said it was going to be difficult to make the team given the talent on the roster, and he wasn't lying. Despite some impressive performances this preseason, there will be some tough cuts for Poles and co.

Here were the toughest cuts from our latest 53-man roster prediction, which include some notable rookies and veterans who left strong impressions but came up just short.

1. CB Reddy Steward

The Bears have a loaded cornerback group, which means there are going to be some good players left on the outside looking in. Steward, an undrafted rookie, has had an impressive summer where he's showcased his ballhawking ability, including his two interceptions (with a pick-6) in Thursday's preseason finale. While I'd love to give Steward one of those final spots (and I'm hoping I got it wrong), I ultimately went with two proven veterans who are strong special teams contributors in Josh Blackwell and Jaylon Jones.

2. DE Daniel Hardy

It's crazy how quickly things can change in the NFL. Just last week, Hardy felt like a lock for the 53-man roster given his impressive preseason and praise from defensive coordinator Eric Washington. But then the Bears traded for defensive end Darrell Taylor, who locks down one of the final roster spots. Hardy has been impressive throughout the preseason, including a 2.5-sack performance against the Bills, and he should be in contention for the final spot, even with Taylor on the roster. But listening to Matt Eberflus talk about Dominique Robinson in the edge rotation feels like Hardy just missed out on the roster.

3. WR Collin Johnson

There was no player who boosted his stock more than Johnson in the Hall of Fame game, where he impressed as a big-bodied receiver who hauled in two touchdowns from Brett Rypien. Unfortunately for Johnson, the hype was short-lived as he's been sidelined by injury and unable to get back on the field to prove he's worthy of one of the final roster spots. The top four receiver spots are already locked down with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and Tyler Scott, and it certainly feels like Velus Jones Jr. has earned a spot as a running back. Which means there's likely only one spot left at receiver. And given Johnson hasn't been able to stay on the field, DeAndre Carter gets the nod due to his punt return ability.

4. QB Austin Reed

The "Hard Knocks" star and "Love Island" superfan has impressed this summer, but it was always going to be an uphill battle with Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent atop the depth chart. Reed was competing with Brett Rypien for the QB3 job, and it certainly feels like Reed made a case to be that guy. He operated the offense efficiently and flashed his potential. But that still doesn't mean he'll make the roster. Depending on how many quarterbacks the Bears opt to carry on the roster, Reed could be primed for a spot on the practice squad. That is, if he clears waivers.

5. LB Micah Baskerville

The Bears have one of the league's best starting linebacker corps with Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Jack Sanborn, but it's the competition behind them that's been intriguing this summer. It feels like Noah Sewell could lock down one of those spots, even though he's been sidelined, but Amen Ogbongbemiga and Baskerville have been impressing this summer, which makes it difficult. Baskerville has had a strong preseason, including a pick-6 against the Bills. Still, it feels like the last spot will come down to Baskerville and Ogbongbemiga. I gave the edge to Ogbongbemiga, who is a big-time special teams contributor.

6. LB Carl Jones Jr.

Chicago has a ton of depth at linebacker and only so many roster spots to go around. I believe the potential final two roster spots will come down to Sewell, Ogbongbemiga and Baskerville -- and there's a chance the Bears could carry six linebackers given the new kickoff rule. Unfortunately, that leaves Jones as the odd man out, which happens when there's so much depth at certain positions like linebacker. But the undrafted rookie has quietly had a strong preseason, which could certainly earn him a spot on the practice squad.

7. TE Brendan Bates

The Bears top three tight ends are set with Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis, but Bates has certainly made things interesting with roster cutdowns looming. The undrafted rookie has made a case for a TE4 spot after his strong preseason, where he's the third highest-graded tight end of the preseason (85.8), per Pro Football Focus. He's proven to be a solid receiver and blocker, and he also brings special teams contributions to the table. Unfortunately, he just misses my cut as I elect to carry three tight ends and six running backs (including fullback Khari Blasingame). But that could easily change if Travis Homer is left off the roster.

8. OT Larry Borom

Let's be honest, no one expected Borom to make the roster at the beginning of the summer. The former fifth-round pick has underperformed and didn't seem worth the $3.19 million price tag in the final year of his rookie deal. But when looking at how he's been utilized as the top reserve tackle -- and the lack of depth -- it certainly felt like he was going to make the cut. That is, until he suffered an injury and was carted off in Thursday's preseason finale. Now, it feels like Borom is headed for the waiver wire with an injury settlement.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 8 hardest cuts from our final Bears 53-man roster projection