A deeper Chicago Bears roster means it’s going to be more difficult for an undrafted rookie to make the 53.

But then there’s Jahdae Walker.

Ranked ninth last spring, Walker wasn’t rated highly enough to warrant a ton of attention. Then he started making plays, showing off his size and big-play ability. That culminated in his performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason finale, earning him a roster spot.

Then Walker had one of the biggest touchdown catches in Bears regular-season history.

The flip side is that the supposedly most talented of last year’s UDFA class didn’t even make the practice squad — defensive backs Major Burns and Tysheem Johnson and linebacker Power Echols.

Like the draft itself, each one of these is a dice roll. But you never know if a Walker or Tyson Bagent or Jaylon Jones or Josh Blackwell becomes a contributor.

Combining the rankings of The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, and scouting reports with the Bears’ depth chart, here’s a look at the undrafted rookies who offer the most intrigue and best chance to make an impact as we get set for this weekend’s rookie minicamp at Halas Hall.

Note: Testing percentiles are via the “Relative Athletic Score” database

1. Caden Barnett, G, Wyoming

Nicknamed “The Vanilla Gorilla,” Barnett looks like a mauler and someone who is not going to be fazed by NFL competition. He’s the Bears’ top-rated UDFA, per Brugler, who had Barnett with a fifth- to sixth-round grade, and the Bears rewarded him that way, reportedly giving him a quarter of a million dollars guaranteed. “Bennett needs to develop better consistency with his sustain skills,” Brugler writes, “but the mental and physical tools are there for him to grow into being a solid backup — and potentially more.”

A second-team All-Mountain West right guard last season, Barnett had a 1.73-second 10-yard split on his 40-time, which is in the 94th percentile for guards. He also scored well in the vertical and short shuttle.

With Logan Jones set as the backup center, Barnett will enter the competition with last year’s sixth-round pick Luke Newman and veterans Jordan McFadden and Kiran Amegadjie to back up Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson at guard. If Barnett shows positional versatility, he has a shot to be the ninth or 10th offensive lineman on the 53.

2. Jaren Kump, C, Utah

The night after the Bears took center Logan Jones in Round 2, general manager Ryan Poles opened his remarks by saying, “Obviously, that’s been a tough position for us since I’ve been here.” So, why not load up the depth? Kump is bigger than Garrett Bradbury and Jones and will likely cross-train, as all the linemen do. If Jones is set to be the starter in 2027, could Kump emerge and wind up being his backup?

Brugler had Kump with a seventh-round grade and wrote, “A broad, athletic-looking blocker, Kump has adequate foot quickness with above-average strength, which shows when he fits in the run game.” Brugler also noted that Kump’s position coach said he had the “highest football IQ” of any player he coached at Utah. Kump was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 player last season.

3. Beau Gardner, LS, Georgia

Why is a long snapper this high on the list? Well, he was the second best in the draft class, per Brugler, and has no veteran to compete against for the job. Right now, it’s Gardner versus Luke Elkin, an undrafted rookie last year who spent camp and the preseason with the team. Gardner is one of the bigger long snappers you’ll see (6-foot-5, 249 pounds). He’s near the 99th percentile for long snappers in height and close to the 94th percentile for weight. He also won the Patrick Mannelly Award, handed out by the Bears’ career leader in games played to the best long snapper in college. Gardner was also first-team All-SEC last season. Unless Scott Daly is re-signed or another veteran is brought in, Gardner has a legit shot to win the job.

Iowa’s Hayden Large joins a stacked tight ends group, but earning a practice-squad spot and a 2027 role isn’t out of the question. (Matthew Holst / Getty Images)

4. Hayden Large, TE, Iowa

How’s this for one of the best stories among the UDFA class: In high school, Large tore his hamstring, as well as part of his pelvic bone. He was bedridden for five weeks. Doctors doubted he’d ever play football again. Large began his career in NAIA before he got his chance in Iowa City as a fullback, H-back and special teams contributor. It’s hard to be named honorable-mention All-Big Ten with only eight receptions, so clearly Large was an impact player for Iowa’s run game and special teams units.

Brugler wrote that Large was described as the “heart and soul” of the Iowa program. “Large finished his three-year Iowa stint with only 14 catches (and zero touchdowns), but his impact was felt much more on tape than the stat sheet. … His football character is off the charts — he will do whatever is needed, no questions asked.” When learning Large’s story and reading that report, it’s no surprise that coach Ben Johnson would want him on the team. The Bears don’t really have a player like that, and as we watch them evolve into a team ready to use more “13 personnel,” Large will get to develop in a pretty good room and has the right head coach to find him a role.

5. Skyler Thomas, S, Oregon State

Brugler had a seventh-round grade on Thomas, who has great size (6-1 3/4, 210 pounds) while also sticking with a theme of this draft class — he was a captain at Oregon State. He had 10 passes defensed in 2024. “Thomas is a good-sized athlete with aggressiveness to work off contact, but his staying power at the next level will depend on his ability to stay disciplined in coverage,” Brugler wrote. “His special teams skill set and experience will help him in the NFL.”  The Bears are likely set with their top four at safety with Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman, Cam Lewis and Elijah Hicks. Thomas will need to prove his value on special teams, where Hicks is best. I’m not sure if the Bears would keep five safeties — that depends on special teams — but Thomas could earn a spot as the practice-squad safety.

6. Jayden Loving, DT, Wake Forest

Loving’s testing is off the charts considering his size (6-1 3/8, 309 pounds) and position, something that appealed to Poles and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who is always looking to upgrade team speed. Loving’s 4.82-second 40-time at his pro day would have tied for third fastest at this year’s combine. His 7.15-second three-cone time would have been the sixth fastest at his position dating to 2010. Brugler wrote that Loving “needs to mature his block recognition and leverage to take the next step in his development, but his movement ability is rare for his size.” Loving had 8.5 tackles for loss last season and was an honorable mention All-ACC. Defensive tackle is a position that could have a bunch of turnover next year. Loving might have to begin on the practice squad after the Bears signed a couple of free agents and used a sixth-round pick on Jordan van den Berg, but his motor should be fun to watch in camp.

7. Coleman Bennett, RB, Kennesaw State

The Bears kept only three running backs on the roster last season, and that will likely be the case in 2026. The No. 3 is Roschon Johnson, who offers special teams value. Brittain Brown got some reps last season, too, including a touchdown in Cincinnati. For Bennett to break through, he’ll have to be effective on special teams. He certainly has the size for it (5-11 1/8, 203 pounds). He’ll likely be competing with Brown and Deion Hankins for the practice squad. With Johnson in the last year of his rookie deal and D’Andre Swift in the last year of his contract, 2027 has some running back question marks. Last season, Bennett rushed for 764 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and also had 27 catches for 315 yards. He had seven total touchdowns.

8. Miller Moss, QB, Louisville

Moss will enter the rookie minicamp with the most name recognition, maybe outside Dillon Thieneman. It’ll be a familiar face in the quarterback room, as Moss was Caleb Williams’ backup at USC before he took over in 2024. Moss played his final season at Louisville and went 9-3 as a starter, including a solid performance against Miami, where he threw two touchdowns and no interceptions in a winning effort. He finished last season with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 64.2 percent of his passes. Brugler had Moss as his 22nd-ranked quarterback.

Moss will get a ton of reps at the rookie minicamp, which is good because then he will take a back seat for the rest of the spring and summer as the No. 4 quarterback. His best-case scenario is proving enough to earn a practice-squad spot, and he should have some preseason opportunities to do so. “It’s important to keep working that quarterback room and making sure we’ve got guys that can come here and add to the competition and guys that we want to pour into so that we can develop, and then we’ll see where it goes,” Poles said after the draft.

9. Gabriel Plascencia, K, San Diego State

When you want another leg in the building for OTAs and training camp, why not get someone nicknamed “The Hefty Lefty”? Plascencia was listed at 245 pounds at San Diego State, and he had a solid career for the Aztecs (19 of 23 field goals made in 2025 with a long of 53 yards). Cairo Santos isn’t going anywhere, and there’s no substitute for his knowledge of how to kick at Soldier Field. There are two years left on his contract. Can Plascencia, a second-team All-Mountain West performer last season, push him? It’s unlikely, but maybe he can earn himself a spot on the team’s in-case-of-emergency list.

10. Mason Murphy, OT, Auburn

Murphy does not grade out well athletically compared with the tackles the Bears usually target. Maybe they see him at center or guard, as they are constantly trying to load up on interior depth. He’s 6-5 1/8, 315 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms and started nine games at right tackle and three at center for Auburn last season. Murphy will have several veteran linemen in front of him, putting him on the practice squad path.

Omari Kelly’s experience in the return game may be his best hope of sticking around in Chicago. (Duane Burleson / Getty Images)

11. Omari Kelly, WR, Michigan State

Nearly every UDFA class includes a couple of receivers. Walker made it last year, and JP Richardson spent the season on the practice squad. Based on Brugler’s receiver rankings, Kelly (128th) has a long way to go to get any roster notice. The return experience is notable, though. He had 12 punt returns last season to go along with 626 receiving yards. A 5-11, 190-pounder, Kelly also played at Auburn and Middle Tennessee State. With the Blue Raiders in 2024, Kelly was first-team All-Conference USA and a second-team returner. He had a punt-return touchdown that season.

12. KC Eziomume, CB, Tulane

Size and speed. That’s the allure of Eziomume, who didn’t play much for Tulane’s defense last season (seven games, one pass defensed). He’s 6-1 1/2, 194 pounds and ran a 4.38 40 at his pro day, which would have tied for second fastest among corners at this year’s combine. In 2024 at Albany, he had six pass breakups. Eziomume can fly, and he has the size Allen prefers at corner. Cornerback is well-stocked, so Eziomume’s best route to sticking around Halas Hall is by earning a practice squad spot.

13. Squirrel White, WR, Florida State

White had a productive career in Tennessee for the Volunteers before spending last season with Florida State, where he caught only five passes. He’s not big, and his 40 time isn’t eye-opening. Brugler ranked White 176th among receivers. Like Kelly, he brings return experience — he had seven punt returns for 112 yards in 2024. He was also Darnell Wright’s college teammate in 2022.