The UDFAs with the best chance of making the Chicago Bears roster

Last year the Chicago Bears got a lot of help from some of their undrafted rookies. Guys like Jaylon Jones stepped up to the plate last season. Jones stepped into a rotational/ starting role due to others around him getting hurt. Not only that, but for the amount of playing time he saw, he put up some decent numbers -- generating 47 total tackles, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble. By no means are these numbers elite but for an undrafted rookie who was meant to be a rotational guy/ special teams player, having that experience is a great thing for the Bears.

Experience like that allows them to be more flexible with the rotation and allows guys to stay fresher longer. The Chicago Bears also had another UDFA corner that put in some good work last year due to injuries -- Josh Blackwell. Both guys should make the team again this year and be high-value special teams players.

However, the biggest UDFA was linebacker, Jack Sanborn who shined in the preseason and eventually became one of the starting linebackers once the Bears traded Roquan Smith to the Ravens. Not only did Sanborn become one of the starters, but he became one of the better players on the defense and will be one of the three starters in this revamped linebacking core.

It's clear that the Bears relied on their UDFAs last year to help fill out the roster. With the number of players they brought in via free agency and the draft, there are fewer spots to be grabbed this time around but there are a couple of guys that could find themselves on the final 53 come Week 1 against the Packers.

Chicago Bears UDFA: Tyson Bagent, QB

The first one up is quarterback, Tyson Bagent who played for Shepard last year in Div ll. Bagent stands 6'3" and weighs around 215 pounds. In his 2021 season, he threw for 5,000 yards, completed 67% of his throws, and threw 53 touchdowns to only 13 interceptions. He would follow that up in 2022 throwing for 4,580 yards and completed 69% of his throws with 41 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions.

According to one scout, he has a very live arm that will make every throw. The biggest area of concern for this scout was his level of competition. The biggest reason Bagent should make the team is the new rule the NFL introduced which allows teams to carry a third QB without it counting toward the final 53-man roster. Bagent and Nathan Peterman should be a fun battle to watch during training camp and the preseason.

Chicago Bears UDFA: D'Anthony Jones, EDGE

Next up on the list of guys that should make the final 53 is edge rusher D'Anthony Jones out of Houston. With the lack of real edge rushing talent on the Chicago Bears roster this year, Jones could find himself in a similar role as Jaylon Jones last year.

Over the last two seasons, Jones was able to get 14 total sacks and seven forced fumbles. He was also able to generate 49 total pressures and 36 QB hurries. The 6'2", 270-pounder isn't the fastest or strongest guy on the field, but he has a knack for finding the quarterback. Scouts love his motor, but they feel he needs to add more counter moves and better use his hand on point of attack. He should be a very fun guy to watch in preseason and he should be getting a ton of snaps.

With a ton of attention rightfully going to the drafted rookies this year, it should be a fun preseason for Chicago Bears fans and maybe one of these undrafted rookies taking that same step that Sanborn did last year.