Chicago Bears: Best Unsigned Rookies

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G Adam Shead, Oklahoma (6’4 | 338 | 5.74)

Three-year starter at Oklahoma and was a 2nd team All-Big 12 selection his senior year. Shead is a mauling run blocker who uses his big frame effectively to move defenders and create running lanes. Before draft season started I had Shead graded as a 4th round pick and most sites had him in the early-to-mid day 3 range. Shead may have dropped out of the draft due the slowest 40-time at the combine (5.74) and potential medical red flags. He suffered a myriad of minor injuries during his college career, but to his credit played through most of them only missing 4 games over 3 seasons.

With the drafting of 6th round pick Tayo Fabuluje and the mini-camp invite to Shead, it appears that the Bears may trying to get bigger on the O-line and implement the power running scheme that head coach John Fox used at most stops in his coaching career. Shead has the ability to be a powerful run blocker inside; he has the size, attitude, and technique to improve an NFL running game.

Shead is not a liability in pass protection either, but probably won’t ever be dominant in that phase of the game due to his slow feet. He has some balance issues as well which could be exploited by NFL pass rushers and doesn’t move well enough to trap, pull or get to the 2nd level consistently. Shead is a phone-booth mauler, but a good fit for a power running scheme and his technique is polished enough that he could play early in his NFL career.

CB Will Brown, Missouri S&T (6’1 | 190 | 4.58)

I’m going out on a limb for this one as most draft sites don’t see much potential in Brown, but he stood out to me at the Medal of Honor Bowl this year and after watching some tape on Brown I think he has the potential to develop into a useful defensive back. It’s obviously hard to judge tape of DII players due to the massive leap in talent from there to the NFL, but I think Brown’s skill-set matches what DC Vic Fangio looked for in defensive backs while with the Niners.

Brown has ideal length for the position and is an aggressive corner who can play the press/zone hybrid scheme that Fangio ran in San Francisco. He doesn’t have great long-speed, but flips his hips fluidly enough to turn and run with faster receivers for 15-20 yards or so. Brown is a willing run defender and showed the ability to hit with authority at the MOH Bowl. He will get beat deep occasionally by NFL receivers, but could develop into a useful press corner. Brown also has the size to transition to free safety and could spend a year on the practice squad learning the position. He’s a long shot, but is an interesting prospect who could develop with some time and coaching.