Chicago Bears – Best Available Undrafted Free Agents (Offense)
Matthew O
OG Miles Dieffenbach, Penn St (6’3 | 303 | 5.29)
Tough, gritty interior lineman who has started 29 games for Penn St but missed most of 2014. Dieffenbach has the strength, technique, and toughness to be one of those guards who end up in the league for 8-10 years. A torn ACL in 2014 ended up knocking Dieffenbach out of the draft, but he has NFL talent.
C Reese Dismukes, Auburn ( 6’3| 296 | 5.27)
Three year starter for Auburn, who lacks the ideal physical traits of a top-tier lineman but has arguably been the most productive center in college football the last two seasons. Dismukes is a classic warrior in the trenches who excels at opening holes inside for his running backs while keeping the pocket clean for his QB to step up. There are very few flaws in Dismukes game; he’s a brawler who has the technique to set a good base in pass pro and the aggressiveness to win the short yardage battles at the line of scrimmage. He got pushed around a bit at the Senior Bowl and needs to get stronger to deal with larger NFL DTs, but should develop into a quality starter in the NFL. The Bears drafted their center of the future in 3rd round pick Hroniss Grasu, but Dismukes could provide depth or perhaps move to guard.
C B.J. Finney, Kansas St (6’4 | 303 | 5.3)
Strong, mauling run blocker with a quick burst off the ball and the toughness to win the battle in the trenches against often much bigger DTs. Finney is a former walk-on who has started every game for 4 seasons and is a 2-time captain. He needs to get a little stronger to handle NFL-size DTs, but has been able to win battles in the trenches at the college level. Finney is equally good against both the run and the pass and could continue to defy the odds and become a successful NFL interior lineman.
C/G Greg Mancz, Toledo (6’5 | 307 | 5.08)
Only offensive lineman to ever win an MVP award in the MAC. Three time team captain with solid leadership skills and the versatility to play either guard or center. Mancz is lacking ideal strength for an NFL interior lineman, but excels as a run blocker due to smooth technique and understanding of angles and leverage. Mancz has done well as a pass blocker but hasn’t faced NFL caliber pass-rushers in the MAC. Smart, versatile player who should end up being a quality NFL lineman.
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QB Brandon Bridge, South Alabama (6’4 | 229 | 4.72)
All the physical tools to be an NFL QB with good height, a cannon arm, and above average mobility. Bridge is extremely raw, but has athletic ability reminiscent of Colin Kaepernick. He’s nowhere close to being ready for NFL snaps, but if you are going to have a developmental QB then why not sign a guy like Bridge who has elite upside.
WR Titus Davis, Central Michigan (6’1 | 196 | 4.51)
Davis has the size and speed to play at the next level and is a crisp route runner. The lack of competition in the MAC is a concern, but he has dominated since stepping on the field as a freshman (34 career TDs, 18 yards per reception). The primary knocks on Davis are a lack of elite speed and a lack of strength, but if he can beat jams at the line of scrimmage he is a good enough route runner to get open at the next level. Davis is also from the Chicago area and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears add him as a priority undrafted free agent. Despite not having elite athleticism, Davis has produced every time he’s on the field and could provide WR depth for the Bears this year.
Other potential UDFAs on offense for the Bears: QB Shane Carden, RB Zach Zenner, WR Deonte Greenberry, WR Devante Davis, WR Austin Hill, WR Josh Harper, WR Cam Worthy, TE Wes Saxton, OT Brett Boyko, OT Rob Crisp, OG Sean Hickey, OG Antoine Everett, C Jake Smith