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Bears might have found a gem in this UDFA
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- Bears might have found a gem in this UDFA
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Every NFL team wants to make significant improvements in the offseason. Free-agent signings and the NFL Draft are the primary ways teams look to improve their strong areas or strengthen the areas they perceive as weaknesses. However, once the Draft is over, teams hope to uncover a few hidden gems that were left undrafted. The Chicago Bears are hoping that they have uncovered at least one undrafted player who will be able to step up and make a contribution in offensive guard Caden Barnett.
Head coach Ben Johnson likes what he knows about Barnett. The former Wyoming offensive lineman is tough and nasty, and he plays with a punishing style. "He plays the way we want to play it," Johnson said . "So there's a physical demeanor about him."
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If Barnett can show that kind of nasty attitude in the team's rookie minicamp as well as training camp, it may matter more than the physical characteristics that often play a bigger role when being assessed for the draft. Barnett comes with a catchy nickname, as he has been tagged "The Vanilla Gorilla."
He also was rated as a potential late-round draft choice by draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic . Barnett was not always the most consistent performer during his college career, but he did win second-team All-Mountain West honors. He has excellent quickness that he can sustain for short bursts, and that is usually an important asset for interior offensive linemen.
In addition to playing guard, the Bears will give Barnett a look at center. While he is not expected to compete for a starting job right away, he could become a key backup if he can make the team.
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