Chicago Bears Roster Ranking: 80-76

BOCA RATON, FL - SEPTEMBER 1: John Franklin III #12 of the Florida Atlantic Owls is tackled by Jarid Ryan #2 of the Navy Midshipmen as he runs with the ball during second quarter action on September 1, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL - SEPTEMBER 1: John Franklin III #12 of the Florida Atlantic Owls is tackled by Jarid Ryan #2 of the Navy Midshipmen as he runs with the ball during second quarter action on September 1, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
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LAKE FOREST, IL - JANUARY 09: General manager Ryan Pace of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media during an introductory press conference for new head coach Matt Nagy at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
LAKE FOREST, IL – JANUARY 09: General manager Ryan Pace of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media during an introductory press conference for new head coach Matt Nagy at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

79. Rashaad Coward

Rashaad Coward is essentially in a similar spot to John Franklin. A defensive tackle from Old Dominion, Coward was a UDFA signing in 2017. He spent his entire rookie season on the Chicago Bears practice squad. Maybe he could step in for John Jenkins as the backup nose tackle?

Nope. Harry Hiestand came in and all of the sudden Rashaad Coward was switching positions to guard. This is an interesting spot.

On the one hand, we have a player with little invested in him. A second-year UDFA changing positions. There is not much going on there.

On the other hand, Harry Hiestand knows what he is doing. They also could have just admitted they missed on him at nose tackle and moved on. They clearly see something in Coward. At least more than they see in a player such as Franklin as the team has a full season worth of practice tape against NFL competition from Coward.

Still, it seems as though at his best he is on the practice squad for one more season as he begins this transition to his new position.

Schedule