Chicago Bears 2023 roster ranking: No. 81 OL Lorenz Metz

We are counting down the days until the season kicks off, and as the days go, we are counting down the Chicago Bears' 90-man roster. This list will look at which players have the most value entering the season and which are most likely to make the 53-man roster. As we sit at number 81, we are still looking at some outside shots to sneak onto the roster. Today, we focus on Lorenz Metz.

Chicago Bears 2023 roster ranking: No. 81 OL Lorenz Metz

Lorenz Metz is a rookie UDFA from Cincinnati. He is a fascinating player. He stands at 6'9" and 316 pounds. That size is almost too big for football. Metz was also born in Germany and did not start playing football until very late. He started at Cincinnati as a defensive lineman before redshirting and changing sides of the ball.

Metz was thrust into the lineup as an RS freshman and started at right tackle most of the year. He lost his job to a transfer the following season but then moved inside to guard, where he thrived in 2021. Metz had been dealing with an injury early into 2022 and did not get on the field until week 10. So, despite being a five-year player, he has 1,730 snaps in his college career.

One thing that is nice is seeing 188 snaps at left tackle, 829 snaps at right guard, and 713 snaps at right tackle. He does have versatility.

However, he is raw even for college standards and does not have the experience to get on an NFL field for a while. The best case for Metz will probably be a trip to the practice squad. If the coaching staff can work with him for a year, he is a big ball of clay who could come into the 2024 season ready to work hard and find himself closer to the roster.

However, the Chicago Bears staff has to know that this player is a project as we stand right now, and his best bet is spending a year on the practice squad. This is why we rank him so low.