If there’s one thing fans learn every year, it is to expect the unexpected regarding how the roster shakes out. Every year, it feels like there is at least one or two instances of a surprise name emerging in training camp to swipe a spot. In rare cases, they use that success to eventually become a starter. Recent examples for the Chicago Bears include Roy Robertson-Harris and Jack Sanborn. That is why it’s never wise to dismiss every addition to the roster for being a late round draft pick or undrafted free agent.
Former scouting director Greg Gabriel knows this better than most. He was in the NFL for years, watching complete unknowns transform into essential players for great teams. In the 1980s, the New York Giants landed Pro Bowl nose tackle Jim Burt on the undrafted market. Then with the Bears, he saw them score Pro Bowl special teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo. So what about the latest crop of names the team brought in? While he won’t make any guarantees, Gabriel mentioned one name that should not be overlooked as training camp looms.
Hankins fits a familiar profile for the Chicago Bears.
He is one of those guys who overplayed his hand in college. The running back was a productive player at UTEP, averaging over five yards per carry in his last two seasons there. However, after his best year in 2023, he transferred to Texas State instead of taking his chances in the NFL. It is believed he hoped to become a full-time starter there. Instead, he lost the subsequent competition and was relegated to a part-time backup. It was an unfortunate miscalculation by Hankins. He is far from the first to do such a thing. The Chicago Bears certainly didn’t complain. That decision guaranteed he wouldn’t get drafted, allowing them to scoop him up on the cheap. Gabriel is correct if they’re getting the player he was at UTEP. He is a much bigger threat to make the roster than some realize.
