Chicago Bears Possible Undrafted Target: OT Brett Toth

Here’s a fun trivia question. Can anybody name how many players the Chicago Bears have drafted out of Army? That would be three for the non-nerds.

Ready for another. In the college’s history, three total players have come out of that school to become Pro Bowlers. Two of them were offensive linemen. So while the school hasn’t produced a meaningful NFL player in years, the truth is it has shown an ability to develop quality offensive linemen. That would be great news for the Bears who have need of one.

Chicago isn’t necessarily weak up front, but they aren’t as strong as they were a year ago. Josh Sitton was released this off-season. Kyle Long is coming off three separate surgeries, so his health is a question mark. Not only that but it’s uncertain how right tackle Bobby Massie fits into this new offense under Matt Nagy. One that places greater emphasis on quickness and athleticism than size and strength.

This is why the Bears could be more active in undrafted free agency, trying to find possible hidden gems. After all, they have one of the best line coaches in the business in Harry Hiestand. This is a benefit they can take advantage of. One name they’ve looked at who could be an option is Army tackle, Brett Toth.

Brett Toth likely to go undrafted due to school and military

A few decades back it was okay for NFL teams to draft players from military schools because they were able to hold onto contract rights indefinitely. They could afford to be patient. Such is no longer the case. Toth will be a tough sell for teams in the draft because he’s required to fulfill two years of service in the army before he can start his NFL career.

The vast majority of players this happens to either never stick it out long enough to make it in the pros or were never good enough. Toth could be an ultra-rare exception. Offensive linemen like him are in high demand in the NFL these days. He’s big, long, athletic and moves well. He’s already well-developed as a run blocker with the kind of nastiness teams like.

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Where he needs work is his pass protection. That’s no surprise. Army rare threw the ball during his college career, being a heavy-run program. It would take some time but not as much for someone like Hiestand. Would the Bears be willing to commit a three-year undrafted contract to him in order to see it through?

Given how close the franchise is to the military, it would make for a great story.