AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Tight end Chase Allen #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by safety Bralen Trahan #24 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns in the first half half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin"u2019 Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
3 UDFA Rookies with best chance to make Chicago Bears roster
The Chicago Bears are very welcoming to UDFA’s, but some have a better chance than others at making the team.
Every year around the NFL, teams like the Chicago Bears find themselves seeing an undrafted free agent overcome the odds and make the 53-man roster.
It’s a pretty cool story and some teams have more UDFA’s make it than others. Maybe because more roster spots are available or maybe they just outshone veteran competition and deserve to be rewarded for it.
Whatever reasoning exists, the outcome is clear. Just because their name wasn’t called, didn’t mean their dream died. Instead, motivation prevailed and now, the journey begins. Let’s take a look at three rookie free agents in the Windy City that are likely to stick around for Week 1.
Chicago Bears UDFAs most likely to make the roster in 2023
Dec 23, 2022; Shreveport, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns defensive back Bralen Trahan (24) reacts with linebacker Kris Moncrief (6) during the second half against the Houston Cougars in the 2022 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Rookie No. 1: Bralen Trahan, S, Louisiana-Lafayette
Lousiana-Lafayette. Doesn’t that place sound familiar? Oh yes, the home of the great Charles Tillman. Like Tillman, Trahan doesn’t have that top-end speed but makes up for it with great ball skills and strong vision. Moreover, with the depth the Bears have at the safety position, it does bring questions as to how the Bears will look to keep him around.
The answer is quite simple. Keep making plays in practice and be willing to be a menace on special teams. Typically, a team will only carry four safeties on their final 53, and if they keep a fifth, it’s due to special teams and being the “gunner” on kickoff returns.
Trahan has a good instinct for delivering the big hit, which echoes the violent nature that general manager Ryan Poles is wishing to install. You open doors to more people when your team is not that good, and Chicago still has plenty of holes to fill. Adding another young and physical body on special teams never hurts.
