What’s going on Chicago Bears fans? We just finished up with the three-day Rookie Mini Camp, where we saw all of the drafted players and undrafted free agents take the field. They were also joined by eight first-year pros that didn’t see the field last season and five unsigned veterans. The veterans that participated were there essentially on a try-out basis.
Here’s a breakdown of the players that participated at the mini camp.
Bears Rookie Mini Camp Participants
As mentioned above, there were eight first-year pros who participated. The list includes: WR Thomas Ives, WR Jester Weah, CB Tre Roberson, CB Rojesterman Farris, LB Ledarius Mack, OG Dieter Eiselen and DE LeCale London.
The five veterans who participated on a try-out basis were WR Chris Lacy, QB Kyle Sloter, S Tedric Thompson, TE Michael Roberts and LB Peter Kalambayi.
The list of drafted rookies includes: QB Justin Fields, OT Teven Jenkins, OL Larry Borom, RB Khalil Herbert, WR Dazz Newsome, DB Thomas Graham Jr. and DT Khyiris Tonga.
The list of undrafted free agents includes DL Thomas Schaffer, DE Charles Snowden, DT Sam Kamara, RB C.J. Marable, LB Caleb Johnson, OG Dareuan Parker, OT Gunnar Vogel, OL Gage Cervenka (already waived), DT Daniel Archibong, TE Scooter Harrington, WR Khalil McClain, CB Dionte Ruffin and K Brian Johnson.
Below are five undrafted free agents that could make the final Bears roster.
Undrafted Free Agents Who Could Make the Bears Roster
Charles Snowden, DE
Charles Snowden is a PHYSICAL FREAK! He’s tall, has good length and he’s very fast for his size. At his Virginia Pro Day, he measured in at 6-7, 245 lbs, and he ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash. He didn’t participate fully, because he was coming off an injury that cut his senior season short. Nonetheless, he was one of the best linebackers in the ACC during his college career. Snowden finished with 44 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks and one forced fumble in eight games last season. He finished his four-year college career with 191 total tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. One of his biggest games came last year against the North Carolina Tar Heels. He recorded an astonishing 10 total tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks and one forced fumble.
PFF ranked him as a sixth-round talent (188th best prospect). They also ranked him higher than Borom (191st) and Newsome (255th). The Bears haven’t had a lot of success in their edge rushing attack outside of Khalil Mack the past couple of seasons. Snowden has a good chance at competing for a roster spot. If he doesn’t make it, he’s certainly one of the favorites to land on the practice squad. Mack and Robert Quinn are definitely the starters on the outside. Snowden will compete against Jerimiah Attaochu, James Vaughters, Trevis Gipson, Christian Jones and Ledarius Mack for a reserve spot on the team.
Gunnar Vogel, OT
One of the biggest weaknesses for the Bears last season was their offensive line play. That’s why they drafted both Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom. Look for one, or even two, undrafted offensive lineman to find a way to compete for a roster spot this summer. Vogel is one of the top undrafted free agents that the Bears brought in.
He played his college ball for Northwestern. He stands at 6-6, 285 lbs. The Bears are always searching for offensive lineman that can find a role for their offense. Vogel has a good chance at competing for a roster spot, and he simply looks like a project piece for now. He will battle Lachavious Simmons, Elijah Wilkinson and Badara Traore for a reserve spot on the team. The OT position is very thin right now for Chicago. If Vogel has a good summer, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his name on the 53-man roster once Week 1 comes around.
Dareuan Parker, OG
As mentioned before, the Bears are searching for more pieces for their offensive line. Parker is a massive offensive guard that could find himself competing for a roster spot right away. He has an ideal guard frame (6-5, 331 lbs), and he dominated at the college level for Mississippi State. Parker is big and broad with exceptional length. He does lack quickness, but he fits well with Chicago’s offensive scheme.
He has a lot to work on, but he will compete with Arlington Hambright, Alex Bars and Dieter Eiselen for a reserve spot as an offensive guard. Parker projects as a practice squad member, but don’t be surprised if you see him on the 53-man roster once the season starts.
Dionte Ruffin, CB
The cornerback position is one of Chicago’s biggest weaknesses heading into the 2021-22 season. They did draft Thomas Graham Jr. in the sixth round, but they need more bodies surrounding Jaylon Johnson on the outside. They brought in Desmond Trufant on a one-year deal, but he’s certainly not in their future plans. Dionte Ruffin comes into this summer with a good chance at competing for a reserve spot for the team. He played his college ball for Western Kentucky, and his numbers won’t “wow” you. Last season, he finished his senior year with 23 total tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
The 24-year-old rookie will compete with Artie Burns, Duke Shelley, Kindle Vildor, Teez Tabor, Tre Roberson and Xavier Crawford for a roster spot. None of these players have made tremendous impacts at the pro level yet. That’s why Ruffin has one of the best chances at making the roster.
Caleb Johnson, LB
Like Ruffin, Caleb Johnson has a good chance at making the roster based on the fact that the Bears desperately need depth at the linebacker position. He is a versatile player who can rush on the edge and play in space. The Houston Baptist product finished his senior season with 104 total tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Johnson recorded double-digit tackles seven times in 2020. He also finished his four-year college career third all-time in tackles for HBU, with 229. At his college pro day, Johnson measured at 6-2, 225 lbs. He ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash while also recording 19 reps, at 225 lbs, on the bench press.
Roquan Smith mans the middle for Chicago, but Danny Trevathan’s play has regressed as he’s getting a little older (31). The reserve middle linebackers played below average last season for Chicago. Johnson will compete with Christian Jones, Josh Woods, Joel Iyiegbuniwe and Austin Calitro for a reserve position.
Unlike last season, the Bears rookies will have a chance to showcase their skills during in-person OTAs, training camp and in three preseason games. Keep an eye out for the five players mentioned above this summer. They have great opportunities, and they should participate in some exciting roster battles.
