Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The 2015 NFL draft is over, but the Bears aren’t done adding players with the priority undrafted free agent stage already under way. Every year there are players that don’t get drafted, but make a team and are productive NFL players. Last year the Bears got contributions from undrafted players like OLB Christian Jones, G Ryan Groy, KR Senorise Perry, T Michael Ola, and CB Al Louis-Jean.
There are plenty of talented players that went undrafted for some reason and hopefully the Bears can add a few quality players over the next few hours. Here is my list of the top undrafted players available that could fill a need on defense for the Bears. In my next post I will break down the available options on offense and then break down undrafted free agents by position if time permits.
Top Undrafted Free Agents – Defense:
CB Kevin White, TCU (5-9 | 183 |4.63)
The “other” Kevin White is an undersized slot corner who plays bigger than his size. White had a solid senior year, which included holding new Bears receiver Kevin White to just two catches in their matchup. He also had a great Senior Bowl and was considered a 3rd-4th round prospect by most scouts. White has quick feet, fluid change-of-direction skills, and clean enough technique to cover slot receivers in the NFL and should be one of the first calls the Bears make after the draft.
S Anthony Harris, Virginia (6’1 | 183 | 4.56)
Coverage safety with great instincts and play recognition skills. Harris is usually in the right place on defense and has good balls skills with 10 interceptions over the last two seasons. He’s shown good timing on blitzes and tackles well despite a lack of bulk. He’s not a big hitter or force against the run, which may have dropped his draft stock, but worst case Harris will have value as a sub package safety.
Paul Abell/CFA Peach Bowl via USA TODAY Sports
S Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss (6’2 | 208 | 4.60)
Big time playmaker in the passing game. Prewitt has elite instincts and very good ball skills, but too often wasn’t aggressive enough vs the run. I thought Prewitt was overrated as a 3rd rounder which is where most sites had him, but figured he would be a value pick on day 3. I’m not sure if there are unknown off-field reasons that Prewitt dropped, but I think he has starter potential in the NFL.
CB Justin Coleman, Tennessee (5’11 | 185 | 4.53)
After a solid senior year covering #1 WRs in the SEC, Houston ran a fast 40, had a respectable 37″ vertical, and the best 3-cone time of all the combine participants (6.61). Coleman isn’t flashy, but is a solid cover corner who can play outside and could provide valuable secondary depth for the Bears.
DT Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa (6’2 | 325 | 5.18)
Max-effort player with a solid all around skill-set but no dominate trait. Williams has good size and length, but lacks the power to dominate at the line of scrimmage. He does have very good feet for his size and is quick enough to occasionally split double-teams, albeit at the FCS level. Williams has been a standout player on special teams with 8 blocked kicks in his college career. I thought Williams performed well at the Senior Bowl against a significant upgrade in talent and was a lock to get drafted. He’s a better fit in a 4-3 but has a versatile enough skill-set to potentially play the 5-tech in the Bears 3-4 scheme.