Chicago Bears Confirm Signing 15 Undrafted Free Agents
Oct 23, 2014; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates quarterback Shane Carden (5) runs with ball during the 3rd quarter against the Connecticut Huskies at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The East Carolina Pirates defeated the Connecticut Huskies 31-21. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears may have wrapped up the draft after they made their 6th round selection on Saturday afternoon, but may have gotten a jump on the critical undrafted free agent market. Word began leaking right after the draft wrapped up (what would we do without Twitter!?!?!) but the Chicago Bears confirmed signing 15 undrafted free agents Sunday evening. Here’s the complete list:
PLAYER POS UNIVERSITY
Jonathan Anderson LB Texas Christian
Qumain Black CB East Central
Bryce Callahan CB Rice
Shane Carden QB East Carolina
Jeremiah Detmer K Toledo
Jacoby Glenn CB Central Florida
Chad Hamilton G Coastal Carolina
Anthony Jefferson S UCLA
Cameron Jefferson T Arkansas
Rick Lovato LS Old Dominion
Cameron Meredith WR Illinois State
Levi Norwood WR Baylor
Olsen Pierre DE Miami (Fla.)
John Timu LB Washington
Brian Vogler TE Alabama
Perhaps the biggest name on the list is East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden. Carden was considered to be the highest rated quarterback who didn’t get drafted, so it’s a boon for the Bears to get him in the fold. You can expect Carden to compete with last year’s draftee David Fales for the 3rd quarterback spot behind Jay Cutler and Jimmy Clausen.
The Bears added some much needed help to the defensive side of the ball, loading up with seven defensive players including three cornerbacks and a safety. Anthony Jefferson is a big strong safety who could be used in sub packages as a linebacker with his size.
The Bears also added some special teams prospects including a successor to long snapper Patrick Mannelly in Old Dominion long snapper Rick Lovato, Toledo kicker Jeremiah Detmer to keep Robbie Gould on his toes and a returner in Baylor wide receiver Levi Norwood who could compete with Marc Mariani for return duties.
While most of these guys are just bodies for camp, you never know what can happen. The Bears were able to nab a bunch of undrafted free agents, including linebacker Christian Jones, who was a big contributor in 2014.
The Chicago Bears will conduct a rookie minicamp May 8-10 at Halas Hall where we’ll get our first look at the 2015 draft class and the undrafted free agents.