Trio of talented defenders among several potential hidden gems looking to show out at the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp
The Chicago Bears' rookie minicamp is coming up fast with new faces reporting to practice next weekend with minicamp running from May 9-11. This will be the first opportunity to see Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and the rest of the eight-man 2025 draft class in a Bears uniform.Most importantly, the rookie minicamp will be […]
The Chicago Bears' rookie minicamp is coming up fast with new faces reporting to practice next weekend with minicamp running from May 9-11. This will be the first opportunity to see Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and the rest of the eight-man 2025 draft class in a Bears uniform.
Most importantly, the rookie minicamp will be a major opportunity for undrafted free agents, either signed or invited to camp, to try and keep their playing dreams alive.
Over the last two seasons, multiple UDFAs went on to play for the Bears including Tyson Bagent, Ian Wheeler, Theo Benedet, and Carl Jones, who are still on the team. Next weekend will be huge for new UDFAs looking to follow in those footsteps and here are five players to watch.
5. K Jonathan Kim
The former UNC and Michigan State kicker is an intriguing addition to the roster. Now, every team at this point in the offseason usually rosters multiple kickers to have bodies on the team for the summer, but I think Johnathan Kim has a real shot to compete.
Returning starter Cairo Santos struggled in 2024, especially with struggles from long distance hurting his team on multiple occasions. Finding someone to push Santos, or even take his position with a stronger leg, will be key for a team looking to win big games during the 2025 season.
Kim's career-long in college was 58-yards, compared to the 11-year veteran who has a career-long of 55-yards. We'll see if this ends up becoming a true battle by camp.
4. DE Xavier Carlton
It's rare to see a 9.0 sack player in 2024 end up joining undrafted, and Xavier Carlton could be a real hidden gem to watch out for next week. At 6'6, 273 pounds, Carlton has the size his new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to see out of his edge rushers.
Carlton has the physical traits you'd like to develop and even has the ability to move inside in hybrid looks on the defensive front. He still needs to expand some of his pass rush skills and arsenal of moves but that's what rookie minicamp is for.
3. RB Deion Hankins
With the amount of returning players at this position and the door still open to add another veteran to the room, it's going to be hard to stand out for running back Deion Hankins.
Hankins already was going to have an uphill battle to push for a spot with a team as an undrafted free agent after recording just 272 yards in 13 games last season. Prior to transferring to Texas State, Hankins totaled 2,604 yards and 23 touchdowns in 46 games at UTEP.
Hankins runs like a battering ram and is similar in size to Roschon Johnson, whom the team wants to be more physical in his third season. Not saying Hankins can take over Johnson's role, but he could be a valuable practice squad addition if his physicality transfers over to have a bruiser back in the waiting in case anyone gets injured.
2. S Major Burns
The Bears have a real long-term safety problem with everyone outside the rookies playing on expiring deals in 2025. Veteran Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker will return as the starters but Byard's age and Brisker's injury history makes things complicated.
Major Burns could be the developmental guy in the waiting or as a solid backup for Brisker. Both players play in a similar aggressive-style and love to come downhill to deliver big hits.
In 2024, Burns even moved to LSU's STAR position, essentially a moving nickel, which fits what Dennis Allen is looking to do with Kyler Gordon. Burns could be a real strong depth guy to keep around at either position.
1. S Tysheem Johnson
Another safety with a strong chance of cracking the final roster as a UDFA is Tysheem Johnson. Unlike Burns, Johnson plays more as a ball-hawking deep safety but brings his own style of versatility as well.
Johnson fits more into the Byard-role for this defense and fits as a developmental player to learn from the locker room leader. Johnson has a small frame and could look to bulk up a bit but he also offers some special teams value. All-around, he's going to be a hot name to watch next weekend.
