The Chicago Bears hosted rookie minicamp this weekend, where their seven new draft picks, along with 13 undrafted rookie signings and tryout players, hit the practice field at Halas Hall.
Throughout training camp and into Week 1 of the preseason, NFL teams will carry 90 players, all fighting to make the 53-man roster and some onto the 17-player practice squad roster. Chicago had a total of 54 players out for day one of rookie minicamp. Including the seven picks, the Bears also had 13 undrafted free agents, 24 rookie tryouts, five first-year players, and five veteran tryouts.
Now, not all can make the team, but from the intriguing lists of undrafted free agents, here’s who we think could see themselves making the 53-man roster, as well as some top practice squad candidates.
OL Caden Barnett
Former Wyoming offensive lineman Caden Barnett is an interesting talent as well because of his work ethic and versatility. Known as the “Vanilla Gorilla,” Barnett should be in play to be near the bottom of the rotation with the guards, but he can certainly make the 53-man roster. Barnett received a $277,500 contract with a $30,000 signing bonus, which already shows the value Chicago sees in him.
“He plays the way we want to play it. So there’s a physical demeanor about him,” coach Ben Johnson said. “That’s what stands out, first and foremost. I think we got a couple really good offensive line coaches. When you have a guy that has traits like that that are harder to coach, you can help clean up the technique and things of that nature. When the mind’s right, I have a lot of confidence in our coaching staff to get the rest of it.”
TE Hayden Large
Johnson also spoke highly about tight end Hayden Large out of Iowa, and once you learn a little bit about him, you’d understand why. Large faced adversity from the start in high school – he tore his hamstring as part of his pelvic bone. Starting in the NAIA level before getting a chance at the Big Ten level at Iowa as a fullback and H-back, during his time in Iowa City, Large had just 14 receptions and zero touchdowns, but was described as the “heart and soul” of the program.
OL Jaren Kump
Following the draft, general manager Ryan Poles doubled down on the center position, signing Jaren Kump out of Utah. At 6-foot-5, 313 pounds, and with 11-inch hands, Kump is bigger than Logan Jones and Garrett Bradbury. And having played every position on the line during his time at Utah, he will work with the linemen overall. This past season, Kump started all 12 games at center. He could be a very reliable backup to Jones in the future.
LS Beau Gardner
Beau Gardner has a solid chance of earning a spot on the 53-man roster given the Bears currently don’t have a long snapper on the roster. Gardner will compete with Luke Elkin, an undrafted free agent from last season, for that spot, unless the Bears opt to re-sign Scott Daly. Right now, head coach Ben Johnson is content with letting the competition play out with two young, inexperienced guys in Elkin and Gardner.
“We feel good about the two guys we have in the building, and it’s up to one of them to grab a job that’s up for grabs right now,” Johnson said. “And if we can’t get that done the way we need it done, then of course there’s other options out there.”
WRs Squirrel White or Omari Kelly
It’s unlikely that Chicago finds another emerging wide receiver as they did with Jahdae Walker, who was an undrafted player last season for the Bears. With a young receiving core, a set of tight ends, and now the addition of Zavion Thomas, I don’t see Squirrel White or Omari Kelly making the 53-man roster, but making the practice squad could play in their favor.
Kelly, a 6-foot-0, spent two seasons at Auburn, one at Middle Tennessee, and ended his collegiate career at Michigan State. He totaled 1,629 total yards and 105 receptions. In his first two seasons at home, he had just five total catches. White is an interesting talent his first three seasons at Tennessee, he played in every game. In his sophomore season, he had 67 receptions for 803 yards, and at 5-foot-10 is very much like Thomas, who Chicago drafted in the third round.
But for both Kelly and White, the return experience is there, and that alone could help them on the 53-man or practice squad.
DL Jayden Loving
Yes, Chicago didn’t address the defensive line and only drafted one player in the sixth round, Jordan van den Berg, but Jayden Loving from Wake Forest fits the mold of players Poles and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen are looking for. At 6-foot-1, 309 pounds, Loving ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at his pro day, which would have been the third-fastest in the third-year combine among all defensive linemen. With van den Berg looking to make an immediate impact and with Neville Gallimore and Kentavious Street added to the roster, the practice squad for Loving makes sense.
K Gabriel Plascencia
Having two kickers on the roster or at least one on a call away is smart. Last season, Cairo Santos missed two games with injury, and it opened the door for Jake Moody, who later finished the season with the Washington Commanders. Gabriel Plascencia, nicknamed “The Hefty Lefty,” was 245 pounds at San Diego State University. It’s unlikely he becomes the replacement or takes over Santos position, especially with the knowledge and demonstration Santos has kicking at Soldier Field, the on-call, emergency opportunity could be there for Plascencia.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 8 undrafted free agents who could make Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster
Reporting by Preston Zbroszczyk , Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
