Before the Chicago Bears secured him, ten other teams were vying for an undrafted rookie player. While the spotlight often shines on draft picks, undrafted free agents hold significant importance in the NFL, with many evolving into key players for their teams.
The Bears have a history of uncovering gems among undrafted players, such as Jay Hilgenberg, Brian Piccolo, James Allen, and Leslie Frazier. Last year, Tyson Bagent proved to be a valuable find. The team hopes someone from their latest undrafted class can follow suit.
Among the undrafted rookies, two defensive linemen, Keith Randolph from Illinois and Jamree Kromah from James Madison, garnered considerable attention for their strong performances last season. However, insiders at Halas Hall suggest keeping an eye on British Columbia offensive tackle Theo Benedet, whom the Bears had to compete with multiple teams to acquire. Offensive line coach Chris Morgan played a crucial role in securing Benedet’s commitment.
Benedet’s appeal to the Bears is evident upon watching his tape. Despite weighing 300 pounds, he displays remarkable athleticism, agility, and aggression, particularly in pass protection. The Bears had been monitoring Benedet for some time, devising a development strategy even before he declared for the NFL draft. His selection as the 15th overall pick in the CFL draft further validated his talent, with even Canadian observers acknowledging his potential for NFL success due to his competitive drive.
The Bears have a track record of attracting Canadian talents, as seen with pass rusher Mathieu Betts, signed a few years ago after the 2019 draft. Although Betts didn’t make the final roster, he excelled in the CFL, registering 18 sacks last season, and is currently trying out for the Detroit Lions.
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