The Chicago Bears haven’t done much of any roster management since the end of undrafted free agency in April. Part of this is due to the nature of the COVID-19 situation. Without access to their facilities at Halas Hall, it’s impossible to bring players in for tryouts or physicals. Not to mention the ongoing uncertainty around the salary cap due to gloomy financial projections in 2021. Teams are reluctant to spend too much money.
That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Bears are done. If the right opportunity arises at a favorable price, there’s reason to think GM Ryan Pace might pounce. A perfect example is the upcoming NFL supplemental draft.
Typically this draft sees little action from NFL teams because the pool of talent is rarely deep. However, things could be different this year. With uncertainty around whether college football will return this season, there is a belief among some that several eligible players who normally would’ve waited for next April might make the jump to the pros now.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network believes this could be especially true for the Pac-12.
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“At the present time, I’ve not been told of any major players from the ACC looking to enter the supplemental draft as the conference is expected to have a season in 2020.
The conversation centers mostly on the Pac-12 players with west coast governors talking about a shutdown through the fall.”
Chicago Bears could have serious interest in this situation
The one name that is generating a lot of buzz regarding this situation is Hamilcar Rashed. Initially, the Oregon State pass rusher had planned to return for his senior season in 2020, but that is now in jeopardy. He is eligible to declare and belief is he’d generate plenty of interest.
“Like Sewell at Oregon, Rashed’s season at Oregon State could be in jeopardy this fall. And similar to Little, I’ve heard nothing specifically on Rashed potentially entering the supplemental draft. But Rashed’s name is one that keeps coming up in conversations as a player who would benefit from entering the supplemental draft.
Rashed had a breakout season in 2019 totaling 22.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks but announced he would return for his senior season despite grading out as a potential third-round pick.”
Rashed was a force in 2019 on defense. Constantly in the backfield both getting to the quarterback and stopping the run. He likely chose to stay in school because he only received a 3rd round grade ahead of the 2020 draft. Repeating similar success as a senior would’ve likely made him a 1st round pick. Now that plan is in jeopardy. Rather than risk not playing at all and seeing the good stock he has go to waste, he might just decide to head for the NFL.
The Bears made a concerted effort to upgrade their pass rush this year by adding Robert Quinn and rookie Trevis Gipson. Throwing a talent like Rashed on top of then could set them up not only for the present but also the future.