Rating Bears Defensive Longshots

Undrafted Arizona free agent Jalen Harris owns a unique designation as he joins the Bears, beyond the fact he's a legacy.

His father was a Bears third round draft pick in 1995 as a linebacker, and also played on Arizona's defense from 1992-95 as a linebacker.

Jalen Harris is an edge rusher. That is unique for the Bears this year, after they never bothered to draft an edge rusher.

Their only additions at the position this offseason were free agents DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green. Walker has averaged 3.25 sacks a year and Green 3.4, so considering holdovers Trevis Gipson had three sacks and Dominique Robinson 1 1/2 sacks, it would appear to be wide open for Harris to try to win a roster spot.

Harris is one of the Bears undrafted free agent signings who will be on display at rookie minicamp Friday and Saturday.

The Bears defense can use as much help as it can get after allowing the most points in the NFL for the first time since World War II. Here are the top three undrafted players on that side of the ball who rate the best shots at eventually making the roster.

1. LB Micah Baskerville, LSU

A 6-1, 235-pound disruptive inside linebacker who faced SEC competition, he made 260 total tackles in five seasons, including 89 and 83 the last two years. He also had two interceptions, deflected 12 passes and forced a fumble. Baskerville was around the ball. He ran 4.75 in the 40 for his pro day and bench-pressed 18 times at 225 pounds. He has an arm length of 31 1/4 inches.

The linebacker competition is much more crowded for the Bears with Dylan Cole and Noah Sewell in the picture but they can always use a sixth linebacker who tackles for both special teams and backup potential.

According to @RealD_Jackson, LSU LB Micah Baskerville (#23) is good at football and this first play ain't too shabby.

Baskerville does a great job fighting through trash towards the outside of the run and using good COD skills to work his way back inside. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/1t2bjs9PMU
— Nick Price (checkmark) (@PriceCheck3) July 9, 2022

2. DE Jalen Harris, Arizona

In six seasons, Harris played in 51 games with 173 tackles, including 25 for loss and 13 1/2 sacks. He made 6 1/2 sacks and 12 tackles for loss the final two years. Harris is 6-foot-5, 254 pounds and had a knack for batting down passes with 10. He comes from an athletic family, and it's not just his father. His mother Cha-Ron played basketball at Arizona from 1996-98.

It would seem a tossup whether the Bears would keep five defensive edges on the roster but at some point during the year they'll usually reach down that far. If they do this then Harris has credentials to at least be a practice squad player as a starter from a Power Five conference who had good production. Maxing out would be making the bottom of the 53-man roster.

INTERCEPTION KAI!!

Arizona Edge Jalen Harris intercepts Aina QB Tim Demorat. #HulaBowl2023 #Orlando pic.twitter.com/RSFiEj716j
— Hula Bowl (@Hula_Bowl) January 14, 2023

3. S Macon Clark, Tulane

This comes down to a tossup between two safeties but Clark probably gets the edge over Oklahoma's Justin Broiles based on better measurables. He tested faster than Broiles, who was also much smaller at 5-10, 191. Clark is 6-foot, 203 pounds and has experience at cornerback, as well as safety. His 40 time was 4.62 and his vertical leap at 35 inches. The first-team all-conference player had a nose for the ball and made nine interceptions in playing 47 games, while breaking up eight other passes.

With DeAndre Houston-Carson unsigned and 2022 seventh-rounder Elijah Hicks competing with 2023 seventh-rounder Kendall Williamson for the backup spots, it wouldn't be real difficult to picture an undrafted free agent sneaking into the picture.

Some flashes I’ve seen from #Tulane SAF Macon Clark…great eyes on the interception, running the alley and making a tackle, as well as a PBU in man coverage. https://t.co/Q2UKSQ789A pic.twitter.com/tO1AWZcppb
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 24, 2022

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven