Bears roster bubble: Who's rising and falling entering preseason Week 2

The Bears' 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns provided Ben Johnson and his coaching staff with their first real game tape of the summer. It also helped several players who entered August fighting for spots on the 53-man roster.

Salvon Ahmed flashed. Kaden Davis continued his impressive summer. Jamree Kromah was one of the best players on the field. Beanie Bishop Jr. intercepted two passes. Case Keenum looked like he could still win an NFL game if called upon.

The Bears entered training camp with 54 returning players and 37 newcomers, and the competition will intensify as they prepare for their second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Here's where some of Chicago's most interesting roster-bubble battles stand entering Week 2 of the preseason.

RB: Salvon Ahmed is putting serious pressure on Roschon Johnson

The Kyle Monangai injury complicates the running back depth chart.

Monangai suffered a hyperextended knee and is expected to miss multiple weeks, temporarily creating additional opportunities behind D'Andre Swift.

Enter Ahmed.

He turned five touches into 72 yards against Cleveland, including a 49-yard touchdown reception. Johnson praised Ahmed afterward but also made it clear that Chicago feels good about its top two backs — Swift and Monangai — and that the competition behind them will largely be decided by special teams.

That puts Ahmed and Roschon Johnson under the microscope.

Johnson brings size, physicality, and special-teams experience. Ahmed brings a different dimension as an explosive space player.

Before the Browns game, Johnson probably felt like the safer choice. After it? This is a legitimate battle.

Bubble watch: Salvon Ahmed ↑ | Roschon Johnson ↓

WR: Kaden Davis is making himself difficult to cut

Here's another player who took advantage of his opportunity.

Davis led the Bears with four receptions for 88 yards against Cleveland after generating buzz throughout training camp. His 72.6 PFF grade ranked seventh on Chicago's offense.

Now the question becomes whether there's a spot in the wide receiver room for him.

The Bears have several receivers competing behind their established options, including Ray-Ray McCloud III, Scottie Miller, Maurice Alexander, JP Richardson, and Davis. The competition for the final receiver spot is expected to remain one of the most intense battles against Cincinnati.

McCloud's return ability helps his case considerably, and he made a strong first impression against Cleveland with a 74.2 PFF grade.

That means Davis needs to continue forcing the issue. So far, he has.

If the Bears keep six receivers, Davis has made himself a legitimate candidate for that final spot.

Bubble watch: Kaden Davis ↑ | Ray-Ray McCloud III ↑

DL: Jamree Kromah might be playing his way onto the team

Kromah isn't just trending up. He's becoming one of the best stories of Chicago Bears training camp.

The third-year defensive lineman exploded against Cleveland with two sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. PFF gave him an 84.3 grade, second-highest on Chicago's defense.

Johnson's postgame comments were equally significant. The Bears coach praised Kromah's get-off, relentlessness, and ability to make his presence felt snap after snap.

The Bears just added veteran Marcus Davenport to a defensive front that already includes Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo and several young players fighting for rotational opportunities. He makes the numbers tighter.

But Kromah is giving Chicago something to think about. At some point, a player stops being a nice preseason story and starts becoming someone you don't want to expose to waivers.

Bubble watch: Jamree Kromah ↑↑

CB: Beanie Bishop Jr. suddenly looks much more interesting

Two interceptions will get everyone's attention.

Bishop picked off both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel against Cleveland and finished with an 82.4 PFF grade. His 88.2 coverage grade was even better.

Chicago's secondary has been hammered by injuries throughout training camp. Coby Bryant underwent knee surgery and could miss four to six months, while Kyler Gordon has been sidelined for an extended period, with no update on when he'll return.

That makes secondary depth far more important than it appeared when camp opened.

Bishop still needs to prove Saturday wasn't simply a summer flash, but versatility and ball production are valuable traits for a reserve defensive back.

Bubble watch: Beanie Bishop Jr. ↑

OL: The numbers could squeeze Kiran Amegadjie

Amegadjie entered camp competing for the starting left tackle job. Now there's a scenario where the former third-round pick could eventually find himself fighting simply to justify a roster spot.

Amegadjie struggled against Cleveland, earning a 44.8 PFF grade and a 33.9 run-blocking grade. Jedrick Wills Jr. wasn't particularly impressive either, but Amegadjie needed to use the preseason to prove his developmental arrow was finally pointing upward.

Meanwhile, the Bears' tackle situation has changed.

Ozzy Trapilo has been activated from PUP following his remarkably quick recovery from a torn patellar tendon, putting him back into the left tackle picture. Braxton Jones remains in the competition, while Theo Benedet has also received work at left tackle.

Darnell Wright obviously isn't going anywhere.

The Bears aren't likely to give up easily on a former third-round pick, especially at a premium position. But draft status only provides protection for so long.

Bubble watch: Kiran Amegadjie ↓

DL: Marcus Davenport's arrival puts pressure on everyone

Chicago's decision to sign Davenport adds another variable to an already fascinating defensive-line competition.

The former first-round pick has 25 career sacks and previously played under Dennis Allen in New Orleans. He's not the obvious answer to Chicago's pass-rush concerns, particularly considering his injury history. But the Bears wouldn't bring him in if they're completely satisfied with the group they have.

Every defensive lineman who makes himself indispensable pushes somebody else toward the bubble.