This year, the Chicago Bears refuse to spend much money on the veteran market. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It signals that GM Ryan Poles is determined to get this team younger, deeper, and faster. To do that, he has to cut down on the spending for older players while focusing on the acquisition of young, cheap college prospects. With only six picks in the upcoming draft though, that will be challenging.
This is why the Bears will likely be active in undrafted free agency. More so than they’ve been in years. It rarely yields great players, but smart teams always find two or three solid options when they’re willing to take chances. When looking at the talent Poles now seeks for his roster, it is a bit easier to determine certain players who might be targets for Chicago, presuming they don’t get drafted as most suspect.
Here are some names to keep an eye on.
Chicago Bears will be active in the undrafted market
Dai’Jean Dixon (WR, Nicholls State)
Poles has said the team will prioritize speed moving forward on offense. Still, there is always a place for wide receivers with size and strength. Guys that can play “above the rim” to borrow a basketball term. Dixon is such a type. While he lacks speed, he shows promise as a route runner and plays up to his 6’3 frame. Winning 50/50 balls is routine for him. He seemed to save his best games for the best opponent,s including 198 yards and two TDs against Louisiana.
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Tyrese Robinson (OG, Oklahoma)
The primary questions around Robinson are typical. Teams worry about his overall athleticism. Movement in space and general quickness are questionable. Robinson makes up for that with power and a grizzly bear mentality. When he gets a chance to go face-to-face with defenders, he makes them pay the price every time. Maybe if he drops some weight he can improve the mobility issue but this is the type of blocker in terms of mentality the Chicago Bears covet.
D’Marco Jackson (LB, Appalachian State)
Changes were inevitable at linebacker once Matt Eberflus brought his defense to the Chicago Bears. Right now they only have two starters and limited depth at the position. Jackson has all the makings of somebody that will outplay his modest beginnings. He’s fast, versatile, and productive. He racked up 266 tackles, 33 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, and three interceptions in three seasons. Linebackers with speed have a place in today’s NFL. Eberflus and his staff would know exactly how to use him.
Jordan Jackson (DT, Air Force)
Military academies aren’t the hotbeds of talent they were back in the 1940s and 1950s. Still, that doesn’t mean they can’t produce good football players from time to time. Air Force does have a solid legacy of defensive linemen too. That is why Jackson deserves some attention. He has good size at 6’5, 280 lbs and finished 2021 with six sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. Strong numbers for a defensive tackle. He has burst too, good for shooting gaps. His big challenge will be improving his lower body strength and leverage.
