May 9, 9:22pm: The Bears aren’t finished adding. Following rookie minicamp this past weekend, the organization added another six UDFAs:
- LB Christian Albright
- S Jon Alexander
- LS Antonio Ortiz
- DE Carson Taylor
- S AJ Thomas (story)
- RB De’Montre Tuggle
May 6, 10:00am: The Bears announced on Friday that they have signed the following undrafted free agents:
- LB Jaylan Alexander, Purdue
- TE Chase Allen, Iowa State
- LB C. J. Avery, Louisville
- S Amari Carter, Miami
- OT Jean Delance, Florida
- DT Micah Dew-Treadway, Minnesota
- CB Allie Green IV, Missouri
- WR Cyrus Holder, Duquesne
- CB Jaylon Jones, Mississippi
- WR Landon Lenoir, Southern Illinois
- WR Henry Litwin, Slippery Rock
- LB Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin
- WR Kevin Shaa, Liberty
- WR Savon Scarver, Utah State (since been cut)
- RB Master Teague, Ohio State
- TE Jake Tonges, California
One of the intriguing additions on offense is Scarver. He was named an All-American and received the Jet Award in 2018 for his production as a returner. Over the course of his career, he averaged over 27 yards per runback on kickoffs, tying the all-time NCAA record for return touchdowns with seven. His offensive production was lacking compared to that of third-rounder Velus Jones, but he should be able to compete for a special teams role.
Teague, meanwhile, will be a familiar face for quarterback Justin Fields, as the two played together at Ohio State in 2019 and 2020. It was in the former season that Teague set a career-high in scrimmage yards, with 849. The following campaign, he led the Buckeyes in rushing touchdowns with eight. He will compete with sixth-rounder Trestan Ebner for a depth role at the position.
Scarver may not have Jones’ production, but he’s also probably not turning 25 next week. The Bears drafted a receiver the same age as DJ Moore this year. Bananas.
Not worried about age. Production, upside, or talent is what matters. If Jones produces for the 4 years of his rookie deal he can be replaced before he is 30. Still prime years are available to the Bears.
Gauging production, upside, and talent all involve noticing age. Far and away his best year of college was his 6th year! He’s literally a man among boys. His body is maxed out and other than straight line speed, his testing wasn’t very good, including short arms. There’s nothing projectable left. If you were going for upside, production, or talent, Jalen Tolbert was still on the board, but more generally, if this is all you’re doing to help Justin Fields, you’re not helping Justin Fields.
Plus they could have just kept Jakeem Grant, who is just 4 years older and has already proven he belongs in this league. This guy at best projects as a return guy and depth receiver which is exactly what Grant is currently.
I liked Grant, too. But Jones, Scarver and the kid Poles drafted from A&M that was the SEC special teams player of the year, combined, won’t cost them half what Grant’s new deal pays. With limited cap space it was the smart move.
The return situation it’s fine. It’s weapons for Fields I’m worried about.
Slim Pickens on that list
UDFA lists usually are or they would have been drafted in the first place. With the number of openings on the roster, I could see 2-4 making the final roster and at least the same number if not more on the practice squad.
Da Bears! What can you say?
Apparently they believe the journey towards winning a SB begins by signing someone with Roman numerals after their name.
Bear fans you have sleeper in LB Sanborn. He going to be a good special teamer and don’t be surprised that he down the road becomes a contributor on defense.
100% agree
I also saw a lot of Sanborn and also liked him. I was kind of surprised they didn’t take a flyer on Jake Hansen of Illinois. He got injured his last year and I don’t know how bad it was.
All I keep hearing about is the fact that this guy they took in the 3rd round is 25. Who cares? I mean the average length of a guys career in the NFL is like what 5 years? Anything more is like gravy. If he lasts 10 years he’ll be 35 and they will have gotten 10 years of service from him. Lets see the if the most important question is, Can he freaking play! Then lets worry about the rest of it. If that’s all people are talking about they must have nothing better to do than bash the Bears. Done my fair share of it myself but I’ll at least wait until I see the man play.
He didn’t even produce that much in college until his sixth season. It’s not like he’s an older prospect because he took a two year mission or changed positions when he was 20. He was more experienced and more physically mature than his opponents and still didn’t develop the most well rounded skill set. He may contribute, but taking him with Tolbert, Shakir, Bell, or even someone like Raimann on the board is baffling process.
Jones Jr. is less than a year older than Devin Hester when he was drafted. It isn’t that baffling why they drafted him. Jones Jr. was a third round talent taken in the third round. While he might not be the pure receiver Tolbert is, the Bears clearly valued Jones Jr’s versatility. A somewhat common theme in their player acquisitions this offseason. Also given current NFL contract structures, it’s not as big of a deal it would have been years ago.
I’m not sure I but he’s a third round talent. If he turns out to be a hall of fame returner, I’ll gladly be wrong. Where are you going with the contract point? With receiver contracts the way they are, I’d be aiming for a guy more likely to have a lucrative skill set than the more likely upside of a gadget guy and returner.
I’m a biased Ohio University graduate but I’m glad to see someone give De’Montre Tuggle a shot.
Being signed after a rookie minicamp hardly means he’ll make the final 53, but he does a lot of things well. He doesn’t necessarily have elite speed but he has enough. He torched MAC defenses, he’s strong and durable, and he plays hard. He won’t be confused for a Tarik Cohen type but he’s not bad as a receiver out of the backfield either. Hopefully he makes the roster or the practice squad and has the chance to play in the league.