Why Bears are paying attention to undrafted rookie wide receiver
BOURBONNAIS — Undrafted rookie wide receiver Tanner Gentry has put himself on the Chicago Bears' radar with his ability to get open downfield, adjust to the ball in the air and make spectacular catches.
In Tuesday's practice, Gentry won a 50-50 ball near the goal line on a deep sideline route from rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky. A short while later, he made a one-handed, diving catch of a Mark Sanchez pass in the end zone.
“It helps,” Gentry said when asked about the flash plays. “Every day we're being evaluated, so it's kind of a consistency thing being able to do it day in and day out.”
Now Gentry needs to take it up a notch by making the same plays in preseason games, starting with Thursday night's opener against the Denver Broncos.
With probably 45 of the final 53 roster spots already decided, Gentry's in the same predicament as the other 45 players on the 90-man roster fighting for the last eight spots.
The odds aren't good, but Gentry has had as impressive a start as a free agent could hope for.
“I just have to continue to make plays and show that I belong, that I fit in,” the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder said. “Just show that I have what it takes to play at this level — drafted or not. It's been fun, and I'm excited for Thursday to be able to do it in a game situation.”
Gentry wasn't drafted despite catching 72 passes for 1,326 yards (18.4-yard average) and 14 touchdowns for Wyoming last season.
“He was a highly productive guy out of Wyoming,” Bears coach John Fox said. “He's got good deep speed. He's getting more comfortable with what we're doing route wise. He's played a couple different positions, so he's smart. So far, we like what we see. We're anxious to see how he performs against Denver.”
Gentry seems already to have developed a connection with Trubisky, the second overall pick in the draft, and they should see most of their playing time together against the Broncos.
“He just goes up and gets it,” Trubisky said. “He does his job, and he's been beating his man on the outside. The opportunities he's been given, he's taken advantage of, so he continues to get more balls thrown his way and he's made plays for us.”
Gentry likely will have to make a lot more plays to be included in the discussion of the final 53-man roster. Out of 12 wide receivers currently on the roster, he was 11th or 12th based on the first depth chart.
If he beats the odds, Gentry won't be surprised, just as he hasn't been surprised by his early success.
“I've always been pretty confident in myself, and I've always known that I can play at this level,” he said. “I've been excited to show everybody what I can do.”