Home Sports Ranking the Bears’ undrafted rookies: QB Austin Reed, DT Keith Randolph lead the way

Ranking the Bears’ undrafted rookies: QB Austin Reed, DT Keith Randolph lead the way

Alexandra Williams
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Ranking the Bears’ undrafted rookies: QB Austin Reed, DT Keith Randolph lead the way

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The Chicago Bears have a couple of mottos they live by.

“We don’t put ceilings on guys,” is a common refrain we hear from coaches and personnel. It’s something co-director of player personnel Trey Koziol said about third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie after the NFL Draft.

We also know that coach Matt Eberflus is not afraid to play rookies.

“One of the things that impressed me about Matt, many coaches will not play rookies, or they shy away from it, but having those rookies play, you saw it toward the end of the year, that is going to play major dividends not only next year but also into the future,” team president/CEO Kevin Warren said in January.

Those sentiments mean the door is always open for undrafted rookies to make the 53-man roster. However, this is the deepest roster in the Eberflus-Poles era. This will not be an easy team to make, especially for an undrafted rookie.

Last year, Tyson Bagent joined the team as the No. 4 quarterback. By the preseason, he was the backup, and he went out and started four games. The Bears will always keep an open mind if a player earns reps, and they do have some thin position groups, like the defensive line. Special teams are often the best way for players to make the team.

There are nine undrafted rookies this year, down from 14 in 2023 and 16 in 2022. Here’s a look at the nine, ranked in order of intrigue — based in part on their chances to make the roster and colleague Dane Brugler’s scouting reports — ahead of this weekend’s rookie minicamp.

1. QB Austin Reed, Western Kentucky

2023 stats: Completed 61.5 percent of passes in 12 starts with 31 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and four rushing touchdowns. Led Conference USA with 3,340 passing yards.

Measurements: 6-1 1/2, 220 pounds with 9 7/8-inch hands.

Dane Brugler positional rank: 13th

Brugler’s take: “Despite locking on to his initial read too often, Reed efficiently processes the field both pre- and post-snap and understands where the open zones should be, usually taking what the coverage gives him. While he is generally accurate, he does lack precision with his ball placement, and NFL coverage will be able to feast on his average velocity. Overall, Reed is a competitive and instinctive passer with a natural feel for where to go with the ball, although several of his physical limitations will be difficult to overcome versus NFL speed. He projects as a No. 3 quarterback on a depth chart and practice-squad candidate.”

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Bagent. How’s that for synergy?

The Bears are very happy to have Bagent as their No. 2. He won two games as a starter last season. Brett Rypien has more experience, and can certainly compete for that role. But why not keep adding to the room? It’s something the previous regime never did. You never know when some undrafted player will light up the preseason and then another team needs a quarterback and reaches out with a trade offer.

Reed, who has trained with Caleb Williams, was a prolific thrower at West Florida before finishing his college career at Western Kentucky, including 40 touchdown passes and 4,700 passing yards in 2022. At a minimum, he’d get to develop on the practice squad.

2. DT Keith Randolph, Illinois

2023 stats: 10 starts, 49 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1 1/2 sacks, one pass defensed.

Measurements: 6-3 1/2, 296 pounds

Brugler positional rank: 18th

Brugler’s take: “With functional size and quickness, Randolph plays with purpose and relies on his body control to slip gaps or battle through engagements. His upfield burst is average at best and he must continue to develop his pass rush instincts and counters. Overall, Randolph is missing an explosive element to his arsenal, but he maintains gap integrity with his ability to lock out, track and do his job in the run game. He projects as an NFL backup who offers scheme versatility and depth at multiple positions.”

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In 2022, Randolph had 13 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors. An ankle injury last season likely contributed to the drop in production. Brugler gave Randolph a sixth-round grade, and defensive tackle is a position offering opportunity on the Bears’ depth chart. The top three are set — Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens — but Randolph can vie for the No. 4 spot.

2023 stats: 13 starts; 60 tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.

Measurements: 6-3 1/2, 274 pounds with 34 1/2-inch arms; ran a 4.77 40 with a 1.60-second 10-yard split.

Brugler positional rank: 42nd

An extremely quick defensive lineman with long arms, Kromah had outstanding production at JMU last season, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors. We’ve seen defensive linemen make splash plays in camp and the preseason and earn a roster or practice-squad spot. There’s definitely room on the D-line, especially at defensive end, for a rookie.

4. TE Brenden Bates, Kentucky

2023 stats: 13 games, 12 starts; four catches for 89 yards.

Measurements: 6-4 3/8, 246 pounds. Ran a 4.66-second 40.

Brugler positional rank: 22nd

Brugler’s take: “Bates is a good-looking athlete, with the core strength to pop defenders on lead blocks. He plays with an edge in the run game, although better control is needed. Despite seeing few targets, he has the body control for smooth adjustments and strong hands to finish. Overall, Bates is a better pass catcher than his production would indicate, and he has the size/speed tools to develop into a complementary Y tight end.”

The easiest position on the depth chart to sneak onto the 53? Tight end. There’s Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and … veteran Stephen Carlson, who spent most of last season on the practice squad. That’s it. We’ll leave the door open for a Marcedes Lewis return later in the summer, but if Bates can show off his size and athleticism while acclimating to a tight-end-friendly offense, there could be a spot for him.

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2023 stats: Started all 12 games; first-team All-Canadian

Measurements: 6-foot-7. 295 pounds with 32 1/8-inch arms. 34.5-inch vertical jump would’ve ranked tied for fifth among offensive linemen at the combine.

Brugler positional rank: 39th

The Bears went north of the border to find an intriguing offensive lineman with a strong athletic profile — Benedet is tall and explosive. He can slide inside to play guard, too. Each year, teams should look to have a developmental, rookie offensive lineman, and Benedet’s rare size, athleticism and versatility should help him. Now he has to prove it against NFL competition.

2023 stats: 52 carries for 380 yards and two touchdowns; nine catches for 119 yards; 17 kickoff returns for 494 yards and one touchdown, averaging 29.1 yards per return.

Measurements: 5-10, 203 pounds; ran a 4.58 40.

Brugler positional rank: 95th

Wheeler doesn’t have great size, but he put up some strong athletic testing and was incredibly productive as a returner, with a kickoff-return touchdown in each of the past three seasons. He also had 21 tackles in his career at Howard, showing he can find spots on special teams. Another potential beneficiary of the new rules, Wheeler has versatility and if he proves himself to special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, he could make a push for a final spot.

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2023 stats: 13 games, four starts; 39 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks.

Measurements: 5-11 3/4, 219 pounds; ran a 4.51 40, which would’ve tied for third among linebackers at the combine.

Brugler positional rank: 49th

A shade under 6 feet, Jones clearly has the speed, but he’ll probably need to bulk up (unless there’s a position switch at play). Hightower could certainly find a role for a linebacker who runs a 4.51 40, but the Bears are already five deep at linebacker with Noah Sewell and Amen Ogbongbemiga behind the starters.

2023 stats: 50 tackles, four TFL, four interceptions, four pass breakups

Measurements: 5-10 5/8, 184 pounds; ran a 4.52 40.

Brugler positional rank: 58th

Cornerback is the Bears’ deepest position but also one of those “you can never have enough” positions. Steward’s athletic profile doesn’t stand out, but he did have a very good 10-yard split on his 40, which should be important for defensive backs. The best part of his resume is the ball skills he showed at Troy. His ceiling is likely the practice squad for this season.

9. WR Peter LeBlanc, Louisiana

2023 stats: 13 games; 30 catches for 368 yards and four touchdowns, including an 87-yard score.

Measurements: 6-2 1/8, 187 pounds. Ran a 4.57 40.

Brugler positional rank: 137th

The Bears are loaded at the top of their receiver depth chart, followed by Tyler Scott at No. 4. Special teams will play a big role in how that group is filled out, with Velus Jones Jr., Dante Pettis and Collin Johnson. Either way, there should certainly be a wide receiver on the practice squad, and that’s where LeBlanc should get his NFL start, but his size could give him some value on special teams.

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 (Photo of Austin Reed: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)



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