Where Bears Focus in Undrafted Free Agency Should Be
All the talk has been focused on the draft for obvious reasons with only five days left until GM Ryan Pace goes back on the clock. That will not be the end of his work. If anything the Chicago Bears undrafted free agency approach may take on greater significant than usual this year.
Remember that the team only has five picks in this draft. Barring any trades to acquire more, the Bears will still be left with 14 roster spots unfilled. Maybe more depending on if they make more tweaks to the back end of their depth chart. A large chunk of those slots may end up getting filled by undrafted players.
The Bears have been widely accepting of such types before. Bryce Callahan, Cameron Meredith, and Roy Robertson-Harris are some of the standouts they scored since Pace took over in 2015. The question now though is where should they place their focus without so many needs to fill?
As always, history provides an answer.
Chicago Bears undrafted focus should be on wide receivers and kickers
Since 2010, two position groups have routinely been able to produce a number of standout talents. Some of whom have made the Pro Bowl at least once. An obvious one are kickers. Justin Tucker, Dan Bailey, Chris Boswell, and Aldrick Rosas are among those names.
What many don’t know is how fruitful the wide receiver market has been after the draft as well. Here’s a list of notable names who have arrived in the league since 2010.
- Victor Cruz
- Chris Hogan
- Jermaine Kearse
- Doug Baldwin
- Adam Thielen
- Allen Hurns
- Tyrell Williams
- Cameron Meredith
- Robby Anderson
There are some really good players on that list including one who routinely has given the Bears headaches the past several years. Pace has already found some success on the undrafted market at that position before as Meredith proves.
Also, remember this list only includes guys from the past eight years. Don’t forget others like Wes Welker, Wayne Chrebet, and Rod Smith.
With five of the six roster spots pretty much secured for Chicago, it would make perfect sense for them to try filling the last with an undrafted player who earns his way into it. This would allow them to use what few draft picks they have at other positions of need like edge rusher, defensive backs, interior offensive line and running back.