Skip to main content
Bear Digest

Little Room for Undrafteds on Offense

Analysis: Bears GM Ryan Poles has covered most roster spots with experience or a first-round draft pick, so undrafted offensive players should find few opportunities.
Gene Chamberlain|
Little Room for Undrafteds on Offense
Little Room for Undrafteds on Offense

In this story:

Chicago Bears

Bears GM Ryan Poles left open the possibility his changes this offseason require time to take root.

Getting Justin Fields help on offense was a goal, and in the draft it meant three picks in tackle Darnell Wright, running back Roschon Johnson, receiver Tyler Scott

"It's got to come together, but I feel like on paper we've done a good job to surround him with good talent," Poles said.

With free agent additions like guard Nate Davis and the trade bringing in receiver DJ Moore, the Bears have addressed all starting spots and even most backup spots.

So for an undrafted free agent to make the 53-man roster might require injuries in camp or someone else faltering. 

Here are the top three offensive players who could take advantage of opportunity to make the 53-man roster from among the undrafted players.

1. QB Tyson Bagent, Shepherd (D-II)

The record-setting Division II passer was ranked by NFL Draft Bible as seventh best in this draft class ahead of Aidan O'Connell of Purdue, but went undrafted. He threw for a D-II record 17,034 yards and 171 touchdowns in his college career. At 6-2 1/2, 213, he's not exactly a tall quarterback and has a little escapability but mainly is a pocket passer.

Bagent would have the best shot at getting on the roster among the undrafted offensive players because of the competition. That is, if they kept more than two quarterbacks. Whether it's for third QB on the roster or a backup spot on the practice squad, Bagent merely needs to beat out Nathan Peterman, who struggled last year in his limited playing time.

2. T Bobby Haskins. USC

Scouts say he needs to add some weight and strength. At 6-7, 295 he more than adequately protected the blindside in 2022 of next year's consensus No. 1 pick in the draft, quarterback Caleb Williams. Haskins started 20 games and played in 45 for Virginia before transferring to USC and then came into a wide-open position battle bt won it and started the majority of games while playing in 13. Scouts found his run blocking surprisingly strong considering he does need to add the weight. In the NFL, it's possible he'd get moved to guard because his arms are only 33 inches. With the Bears, he'd be an ideal player on a practice squad as he adds strength. He'd be competing with backups Larry Borom, Alex Leatherwood and Kellen Diesch so the competition for swing tackle is going to be crowded.

3. G Gabriel Houy, Pitt

This is close between Cincinnati's tackle Lorenz Metz and Houy, a 6-3, 306 player with a reputation as an "enforcer" type. But the 6-9, 330-pound Metz is German and his football background is more limited than Houy's. If Houy didn't have a history with injuries it's possible he might even have been drafted. He had just five starts last year due to injuries.  

Guard is a position where the Bears have depth but the backups seem more suited for playing other positions. Tackles Borom and Leatherwood have the ability to play guard. Lucas Patrick was brought in as a center but had to play guard last year and is at his best at center. Ja'Tyre Carter and Dieter Eiselen are players with very little experience anywhere. A guard by trade who could play at a high level might find a way to be of use. Even left guard starter is a bit unstable because Teven Jenkins has never played there in the NFL, although he made the switch from tackle to right guard seem fairly easy last season.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

Home/News