After the pathetic showing by the Bears reserve offensive linemen during the 22-0 loss to the Broncos in week one of the preseason, the front office released a few rookies and added some veteran offensive line depth.
The Bears released undrafted rookie linemen Dan Bucholz (for the 2nd time) and Donovan Williams and replaced them with a couple of veteran interior linemen, Khaled Holmes and Shelley Smith. Both Holmes and Smith have experience at the center position where the Bears are very thin after the loss of Hroniss Grasu for the season and the auspicious debut of rookie Cody Whitehair at the position.
Holmes, was a 4th round pick out of USC in the 2013 draft by the Colts, where he played from 2013 until this May when he was released. In his three seasons with the Colts Holmes appeared in 17 games with nine starts, all at center. He started seven games for the Colts last season, but graded out poorly overall by Pro Football Focus and was let go after the season. Holmes is only 26 and was a highly regarded prospect just three seasons ago, so perhaps there is still untapped upside.
Smith has been around longer, joining the league as a sixth-round pick by the Texans back in 2010. Since then he has bounced around the league with time spent on five different teams before signing with the Bears this week. Smith, 29, didn’t see the field in 2015 during stints with the Dolphins or Broncos and graded out below average (-10.1) by Pro Football Focus back in 2014 when he appeared in 11 games for the Dolphins (three starts). For a frame of reference, that was a better grade than former Bears Vlad Ducasse (-14.1), but worse than former Bear guard Ryan Groy (-2.4) who I doubt many fans remember.
With NFL experience at both center and guard, Smith could at least provide some veteran depth on the interior line. The Bears have tried to add experienced depth this offseason, but thave been hurt by the unexpected retirements of Manny Ramirez and Nate Chandler.
Smith should give some of the younger Bears a run for their money as a versatile back-up at guard and center. His ability to play both positions could give Smith an edge over fellow newcomer Holmes, but Holmes’ upside may be more attractive to the Bears long-term. Either way, both players have a legitimate shot at the final 53-man roster after the way the Bears 2nd & 3rd string offensive lines played in week one of the preseason.