Undrafted free agents never get the same hype as draft picks. That isn’t a surprise. Most undrafted players never make it beyond the practice squad. Few manage to crack the starting lineup. However, it does happen. Often it comes down to a player having the right tools in the right situation. Jack Sanborn is a perfect example. He had plenty of critics denouncing his speed limitations. The Chicago Bears didn’t care, feeling his positive traits would fit well in their 4-3 defense. They were proven correct. Now GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus are hoping the next batch of undrafted free agents can produce some hidden gems.
While their class isn’t getting much love from experts, one name that should be is Gary Houy. You may not know him, but pass rushers in the ACC sure do. The big right tackle from Pitt was a force for the Panthers over the past two seasons. He played a big role in helping Kenny Pickett become the only quarterback to go in the 1st round of the 2022 draft. Injuries likely held Houy back from getting drafted, but when healthy he was an effective blocker in a pass-heavy offense. The tape backs this up.
The Chicago Bears have good reasons to like Houy.
He’s versatile, having played both guard and tackle in college. He’s a big guy at 6’6, 325 lbs and moves surprisingly well for his size. His style of play is violent. While not an elite athlete, he is better than he gets credit for. His 27-inch vertical jump is on the same level as La’El Collins and Abraham Lucas. His arms are said to be around 34 inches in length, so he checks that box as well. General feelings are Houy likely would’ve been drafted had he come out of Pitt in 2022 instead of this year. Injuries killed the momentum he’d built.
His loss might end up being the Chicago Bears’ gain. Depth along the offensive line is one of the biggest keys to NFL success. Darnell Wright is the obvious starting right tackle. That doesn’t mean Houy has no future. He has enough ability to earn a backup spot and the versatility to play outside or inside. If he stays healthy, there is no reason to think he can’t compete with Alex Leatherwood, Bobby Haskins, Larry Borom, and Kellen Diesch for a roster spot. The more you watch him, the more you like him.
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