The Chicago Bears added a number of defensive backs this offseason, in hopes to strengthen what has been a weak unit. The biggest deficiency from the secondary has been in getting turnovers. Now to be fair, interceptions have something to do with the pressure the front seven can bring, but Chicago’s back end hasn’t done much the last two years. Playmakers are needed badly.

They added a few established veteran free agents, but if they get lucky with an unheralded signing, that would help too.

The Bears signed cornerback Rashaad Reynolds to their practice squad late last season, then they gave him a reserve/futures contract in January. He was originally an undrafted free agent of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. He spent a year in injured reserve with a broken hand, then a year on their practice squad.

The Detroit Lions had him on their offseason roster in 2016 for a few weeks before waiving him, which led to him being available for the Bears last year.

At Oregon State, he had six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles as a senior in 2013. He had a productive career in college as a three year starter, and he tested well athletically at the combine. NFL.com had him down with a 3rd round projection, but he likely fell out iof the draft because of concerns about his size and lack of top end, straight-line speed.

Biography

Age: 26-years-old

Experience: 2nd season

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 187 pounds

Contract and salary cap

According to Spotrac, Reynolds is playing on a 1 year, $465,000 contract. If he sticks around the 2017 season, he’ll be an exclusive rights free agent next offseason.

Reason for improvement in 2017

Reynolds is still relatively young, and his few years bouncing around the NFL may have allowed him to hone his skills. His best place on the Bears is probably nickle, but he’ll need to excel on special teams to open the coaches eyes.

Reason for regression in 2017

I wrote this last time in regards to William Poehls, and it fits here as well. After three years bouncing around, maybe he is what he is; a guy that is just good enough to almost make an NFL roster.

Final roster odds

He’ll likely have to beat out Cre’Von LeBlanc, Bryce Callahan and B.W. Webb for a spot near the bottom of the depth chart, and I don’t see that happening.