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Chicago Bears: Regrading Ryan Pace’s 2015 NFL Draft Selections

By Bill Zimmerman

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 30: Kevin White of the West Virginia Mountaineers holds up a jersey after being chosen
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 30: Kevin White of the West Virginia Mountaineers holds up a jersey after being chosen /
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CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 11: Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears attempts to block the pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Soldier Field on November 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 11: Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears attempts to block the pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Soldier Field on November 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

UDFAs: Bryce Callahan, CB, Rice; Cameron Meredith, WR, Illinois St

Grade: A+

Some people may not appreciate the kind of finds Pace found with his original UDFA class.

Let’s start with Cameron Meredith who is no longer with the team and is currently with the New Orleans Saints. Meredith had a tremendous breakout campaign in 2016 where in just 14 games (10 starts) he had 888 yards on 66 catches and 4 TDs.

That production is a tremendous boost for a UDFA. Unfortunately, Meredith’s Bears’ career was cut short after suffering a horrific knee injury prior to the 2017 season. Meredith signed with the New Orleans Saints prior to the 2018 season but the Bears chose not to match citing health concerns. The Bears reasoning proved sound as Meredith was barely able to stay on the field this season for New Orleans and was placed on IR.

Bryce Callahan was another great find for Pace. While Callahan has had some injury issues during his tenure in Chicago, he continues to improve each season and has become one of the best slot corners in the NFL.

Callahan is an unrestricted free agent and he should be a high priority to re-sign this offseason. It will be interesting to see how close the Bears and Callahan are on the contract. Callahan’s performance dictates he should be handsomely paid, but his injury concerns will definitely be an issue in terms of how much money the Bears are willing to guarantee in his contract.

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