By Sunday 
While fans are busy dreaming up trade scenarios for stars like Trey Hendrickson, the Chicago Bears might be cooking up something a little less flashy—but potentially just as effective. The answer to their edge rush depth might not come from a blockbuster deal, but from an undrafted rookie who’s already turning heads: Xavier Carlton.
The UDFA That’s Turning Heads
After last weekend’s rookie minicamp, Pro Football Focus’ Ben Cooper named Carlton as the Bears’ undrafted free agent to watch—and it wasn’t a stretch.
Sure, Carlton didn’t get the chance to fully show off his tools without pads during camp (per NFL rules), but his body of work in college speaks volumes. He spent two years at Utah before finishing at Cal, where he came into his own as a high-motor, high-ceiling edge rusher.
And let’s talk about that body—6’6″, 275 pounds of pure prototype. That’s exactly what new defensive coordinator Eric Washington (not Dennis Allen—slight mix-up in the original note) is looking for on the edge. The Bears want edge defenders who can hold their ground just as well as they rush the passer. Carlton checks both boxes.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Carlton racked up 19 career sacks, with nine coming in his final year at Cal. But it’s not just about the sacks. He recorded 115 quarterback pressures over the past three seasons, putting him among the top 30 FBS edge defenders in that span.
Cooper points out that Carlton had an especially high number of “clean-up pressures”—basically, hustle plays where he didn’t win right away but stuck with it and made an impact. That relentless motor is a Bears trait through and through.
And it’s not all pass rush either. With 28 career tackles for loss (24 at Cal), Carlton shows he can hold his lane and disrupt plays in the backfield. That kind of balance is huge in a rotational edge player.
The Need Is Real
So why Carlton? It’s not just his tape. It’s the Bears’ clear need for rotational edge help.
Right now, Montez Sweat and free agent addition Jake Martin (or Dayo Odeyingbo, if they slide him outside) are penciled in as starters. But every effective pass rush needs depth. Rotational guys keep the energy up and the offensive line guessing. The Bears learned the hard way last year when they got minimal production from backups like Dominique Robinson and Austin Booker.
Ben Cooper put it bluntly: “The Bears need more pass-rushing production out of their rotational edge defenders.” Only Daniel Hardy remains from last year’s group of hopefuls. That leaves the door wide open for someone like Carlton to sneak onto the final 53.
Don’t Count on the Big Splash
Yes, the Trey Hendrickson buzz is fun—and if Ryan Poles somehow pulls that off, we’ll all celebrate—but it’s not likely. The Bears still have salary cap priorities and a young roster they’re trying to grow the right way.
If anything, a cheaper veteran like Matthew Judon might be more realistic (Poles reportedly tried to trade for him last year), but even that’s a stretch.
In the meantime, the Bears are clearly serious about giving their young pass rushers a shot. Carlton’s size, production, and attitude make him a real candidate to seize that opportunity.
Bottom line?
Don’t sleep on the undrafted guys. The Bears might not need a household name to get more juice off the edge—just someone who plays like he belongs. Carlton might just be that guy.