With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Bears will hold their rookie camp this weekend. Most of their draft picks have already signed their contracts and are ready to begin their NFL journey. But the Bears also have signed 10 undrafted free agents, who are invited to the rookie camp. Just because they went undrafted does not mean they lack talent.
Some will turn heads and make the team become contributors. Tyson Bagent and Jack Sanborn are recent examples, and if you want to go further back, Jay Hilgenberg and James "Big Cat" Williams became long-time starters on the offensive line. Here are several undrafted rookies to keep an eye on that have a real shot at making the team.
5. Kansas defensive end Jereme Robinson
The Bears need another edge rusher, and Jereme Robinson could be given a long look, along with another UDFA, Xavier Carlton from Cal. One thing that is going for him is that his former teammate from Kansas, Austin Booker, is on the team. They formed a pretty good tandem at Kansas, and Robinson should have good intel on the Bears organization despite a disastrous 2024 season and what current defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is looking for. He compiled 22 tackles (16 solo, 6 assists), 5.5 sacks last season.
4. Michigan State kicker Jonathan Kim
Cairo Santos struggled last season. He had three kicks blocked last season, all from 40-49 yards, due to his low trajectory on these long kicks. Even his game-winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers on the final play of the 2024 season barely snuck in.
Jonathan Kim, a kicker from Michigan State, boasts an impressive college career, having nailed 90.5% of his field goals in 2024, including a perfect record on kicks in the 40-49 yard range. There is an outside chance that Kim could push Santos, and even unseat him if Santos is still struggling with trajectory during preseason.
3. North Carolina linebacker Power Echols
His name alone should qualify him to make the roster. But on a serious note, the Bears' linebacker depth is lacking after the departure of former Jack Sanborn, a former undrafted free agent himself. His scouting report shows that his best fit is " A WILL in a 4-3 or as a nickel linebacker in sub-packages where his coverage skills and blitzing ability can be maximized."
Echols should have plenty of motivation because he went undrafted due to his lack of size. Meanwhile, Maryland LB Rube Hyppolite II, a fellow ACC linebacker, was drafted, thanks largely to his 4.39 40-yard dash. Echols must prove himself on special teams while competing for roster spots, something he has plenty of experience with in North Carolina.
2. Oregon safety Tysheem Johnson
Another player, who went undrafted because of his size (5'9", 185), Johnson began his career at Ole Miss from 2021-22 and transferred to Oregon. He makes up for his lack of size with his speed and coverage skills.
The safety position also needs more depth after Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and Jonathan Owens.
When general manager Ryan Poles was interviewed on ESPN-Chicago's "Kap & J-Hood.", he believes he has the skillset to play as a nickel back with Kyler Gordon. Considering the Bears did not draft a safety in this year's draft, there is a good chance Johnson could be given a strong look to make the team. Speaking of an undrafted safety......
1. LSU safety Major Burns
Like Power Echols, his name alone should qualify him to make the team. And he plays safety, which fits his name, both good and bad literally. Unlike Johnson, Major Burns stands 6'2", 207 pounds. He is what an average NFL safety would look like from a physical standpoint. Despite playing 5 years in the SEC, where he began his career at Georgia before transferring to LSU, he went undrafted.
As I mentioned about Johnson above, the safety position also needs more depth. In addition, starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, and backup Jonathan Owens, are all out of contract after this upcoming season. This is a new coaching staff, so no coach is attached to any players. Burns is projected as an in-the-box safety with a ballhawk mentality. But like Johnson, he must perform well on special teams to make the team.