Chicago Bears training camp 2017: Five players who could turn heads in Bourbonnais

5. Roy Robertson-Harris

For a former undrafted player, Robertson-Harris sure has gotten a lot of hype from Chicago Bears fans leading into this season. And when you see his incredible athleticism for a big man, it’s hard to blame fans for getting excited.

Starting this week, we’ll get a chance to see him put those gifts to good use. And, for myself, I expect him to turn a head or two during training camp.

Why he’ll succeed

At 6’7”, Robertson-Harris has the frame of a potentially monster defensive end with the athleticism of an outside linebacker. Originally checking in at about 260 pounds coming out of college, he has now upped his weight to nearly 290 following his switch to defensive end. And from the looks of it, he’s still plenty athletic after beefing up to defensive lineman size.

From a technique standpoint, he remains fairly raw, of course. Even now, he has a tendency to play tall and stiff, a challenge for someone with his height. If he wants to make an impact as a defensive end, his pad level must come down.

Also, he’s not known as an outstanding pass rusher because of his still-developing technique. In addition to his upright stance, his hand-fighting skills look far from adept. While improving his run defense will be necessary if he wants to earn consistent snaps, showing that he can pass rush will help him get his foot in the door.

But for all his inexperience, his motor is absolutely undeniable. Combine his relentless attitude with his athleticism, and you have a guy that chases running backs 70 yards down the field to prevent touchdowns. That kind of player has the potential to find his way onto any field.

If he brings that attitude to training camp, the Bears’ coaching staff will give him chances to prove himself. And if he can start blending his athleticism with technique, he could be an under-the-radar star this training camp.