Standouts at need positions for Bears in East-West Shrine Game
![Bears practice squad QB Austin Reed was in last year's East-West Shrine Game and there are players of interest for them in Thursday's game. Bears practice squad QB Austin Reed was in last year's East-West Shrine Game and there are players of interest for them in Thursday's game.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3246,h_1825,x_0,y_149/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/bear_digest/01jjsp8p4e0q7y038shk.jpg)
Considering the list of Bears alum who played in the East-West Shrine Game, it's probably a must-watch.
No less Bears greats than Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Bronko Nagurski and George Connor played in the 101 years of the game. Among other teams, Tom Brady played in it as well.
While it generally gets less attention than the Senior Bowl now, the Bears have found starters in it in the past and one was Charles Leno Jr., who enjoyed a very solid NFL career in Chicago and Washington despite seventh-round status.
Last year there were 57 players drafted who participated in the East-West game, although none of them were with the Bears. Bears practice squad QB Austin Reed did play in it.
The game is Thursday at 7 p.m. on NFL Network and they've already finished practices.
Practice observers like NFL.com's Chad Reuter and Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick have pointed out players who impressed and here are those at Bears positions of need to watch in the game.
OL Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas
History is on his side. A 6-4 3/4, 306-pound tackle who is being considered as a guard by many teams despite inexperience at the position. His former teammate, lineman Dominick Puni, moved like that last year and became a 49ers third-round pick who started every game in 2024. Reuter noted strong hands and good technique in terms of a wide base and alignment in pass protection with him.
We spoke to Kansas Jayhawks offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue, who will be making the switch from tackle to guard. He discusses the difficulties in switching positions, and how his experience and coaching has been at the #ShrineBowl. pic.twitter.com/hPP2yVqI4H
— The League Winners (@LeagueWinnersFB) January 26, 2025
OL Gareth Warren, Lindenwood
A 330-pound, 6-5 1/8 tckle who has enough arm length to play tackle but probably is a better fit with his size and lack of really long arms to play guard. Reuter notes a very strong anchor, which sets well for guard. Even at his size, he displayed the ability to pull and trap. They noticed that his Division II status seemed to make no difference going against players from bigger schools at the practices this week.
Lindenwood's LT Gareth Warren @gwarren808 was recently named to the @ShrineBowl 1000 watch list and it's easy to see why.
— Bryan (@BGauvin23) August 1, 2024
He is naturally powerful and savvy with his hands. His best position may be at guard going forward.#FCSFootball #NFLDraft #BurnTheWood #LoyalToTheLou pic.twitter.com/pe4SKUmbh5
Edge Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
Even with his relatively small size (6-2 1/4, 253), scouts noted Powell-Ryland able to avoid being overpowered in one-on-ones at practices. Reuter appreciated his spin move in pass rush and how he got off the ball. Whether he played hand down or standing up didn't seem to matter in the drills, Reuter said.
One period of @ShrineBowl 1-on-1 OL/DL drills in and we’ve already got a @HokiesFB Antwaun Powell-Ryland vintage spin move
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 25, 2025
A go-to of his on tape. It’s a beauty in person, too pic.twitter.com/MB1Ig2oEhK
Edge Bradyn Swinson, LSU
A dominant pass rusher by Chadwick's standards at PFF, the 6-4, 253-pounder had a PFF grade of 90.2 rushing the passer. PFF gave him numbers that sound like an early round pick, ranking him sixth in pressure rate and 10th in pass-rush win rate. PFF has him as a third-round pick, Chadwick said.
One of the best defensive players in the 2025 #NFLDraft is EDGE Bradyn Swinson.. You don't generally see guys with his size (6'4 250 pounds), bend, and pass rush technique. He is going to end up being one of the really productive players from this class. pic.twitter.com/1LrtSlD9Y7
— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) January 15, 2025
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
While Mason Graham gets all the draft attention, Grant was a beast inside as well for the Wolverines at 6-3, 339. If the Bears are looking for someone with versatility to one-gap or two-gap, Grant can do it. Chadwick even thinks Grant can get into the first 25 picks, although this doesn't seem like a consensus. He also is a standout pass rusher at this size and showed it in pass rush drills during the week.
#Michigan DT Kenneth Grant is perhaps the biggest, strongest player in the 2025 Draft:
— Andy 🏈 (@CUandyy) January 27, 2025
Big-body lineman with a ton of tools, his size is able to eat up blocks, draws a lot of double teams, disrupts run lanes, plays with good gap integrity
Grant is getting big 1st round looks👀 pic.twitter.com/hyXwlTUT9p
DT Jordan Phillips, Maryland
More of a bigger 3-technique type but lacking the height like the Bears have in Gervon Dexter, Phillips can also be a nose at 6-1 1/4, 318). He gives a team versatility and Reuter notes most his weight is "between his belt and ankles," which is always good in run defense or goal-line and short yardage. Reuter noted how he was a succesful bull-rusher in drills, particularly against North Carolina State's Tim McKay. He even shocked with a spin move on the interior once.
Who will be the highest-drafted non-QB from this year's East-West Shrine Bowl?
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 25, 2025
Maryland DT Jordan Phillips might get my vote. Power-packed and twitched up to create serious knock back at the POA. Fluid 320-pounder. Still just 20-years-old. pic.twitter.com/GidTExBlv6
RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Brooks' size alone should interest the Bears. He is built like a power runner but has speed to hit the hole. He is 5-9 1/4, 229. Reuter called him elusive but with great balance. He's also a threat out of the backfield. Reuter calls this full group of backs worth watching for teams needing running backs but Brooks' power and speed makes him someone who a team with a third- through fifth-round pick might consider.
Something very satisfying about watching Tahj Brooks slice through defenses without raising his pulse. One of those players whose 4-6 yard runs are exciting pic.twitter.com/UnIvXIbhwO
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) November 26, 2024
WR Tre Harris, Ole' Miss
Highly thought of at one point, there is speculation by Chadwick that Harris might need a good performance here and at the combine to refresh memories because he was injured and out of five games in 2024. At 6-3, 210, he's probably more of an outside receiver and had YAC ability. This is most obvious by a number Chadwick called "absurd." That's a 5.15-yard average per route run.
Tre Harris
— The FF Dynasty (@TheFFdynasty) January 28, 2025
College: Ole Miss
Age: 23
Size: 6’3, 210 lbs
In 7 healthy games in 2024:
- 1st in YPRR (5.15)
- 1st in YPRR vs. Man Coverage (9.28) 🤯
- 2nd in YPRR vs. Zone Coverage (4.05)
- 1,030 YDS on 60 REC for an impressive 17.2 YPR
- First Team All-SEC
He’s a strong physical… pic.twitter.com/Mo94dkpXnY
WR Dont'e Thornton, Tennessee
OK, the Bears don't exactly have a great history drafting big receivers from Tennessee, who transferred there from the west coast (Velus Jones Jr.), but Thornton's 6-5, 214-pound size makes him tough to overlook. Reuter underscored a phenomenal 25.4-yard average per reception last year that led the nation. The Bears can use receiver help if they're losing Keenan Allen, which seems likely. The fact he had only a high of 38 targets in two seasons also sounds like Jones but Reuter sees a player here who should be drafted "in the top 150."
Dont’e Thornton JR
— TIMMY THUNDERR ⚡️ (@timmythunderr) January 29, 2025
You are a Charger.
pic.twitter.com/ZIi0igMAKC
TE Oronde Gadsen II, Syracuse
Size will be a concern for teams because he's built like a wide receiver at 6-5, 236 and was as light as 210 a little over a year ago. Chadwick points out he has NFL pedigree as his dad was a Dolphins receiver, but he had two very productive seasons at Syracuse, including 73 catches for 934 yards and seven TDs last year. In all, he had a career-high 14 TD catches and that's not something a lot of college tight ends can say.
TE Oronde Gadsden II impressing on Day 1 of the Shrine Bowl?!
— Matt FF Dynasty 🏈 (@MattFFDynasty) January 25, 2025
*pretends to be shocked*
This TE class is REALLY good, and Gadsden is one of the lesser known names that will continue to rise up rankings once people become familiar with his game 🔥⬇️
pic.twitter.com/PQNRRBnKuq
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