On the eve of rookie minicamp, the Bears signed six of their seven draft picks — all but Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, who was drafted eighth overall last month.
The six to sign were: Iowa guard James Daniels and Memphis wide receiver Anthony Miller, both second-round selections; Western Kentucky inside linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe, a fourth-round pick; Delaware nose tackle Bilal Nichols, a fifth-round selection; Utah edge rusher Kyle Fitts, a sixth-rounder; and Georgia receiver Javon Wims, a seventh-rounder.
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The collective-bargaining agreement has made rookie signings, once the source of holdouts and hurt feelings, perfunctory. All are four-year deals within a salary range.
Daniels, the 39th overall pick, figures to make slightly more than the four-year, $6.5 million deal — with $3.67 million guaranteed — that the same pick from last year, Jets safety Marcus Maye, received.
Miller, the 51st pick, should make just north of the four-year, $5.07 million deal — with $2.53 guaranteed — that Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Walker got in 2017.
The six signed in time to begin a three-day rookie minicamp, which starts Friday at Halas Hall. Smith could sign before practice. If he doesn’t, it wouldn’t necessarily prevent him from participating.
The Bears also signed 15 undrafted free agents, including Oswego High School alum Michael Joseph, a Dubuque cornerback, and Notre Dame linebackers Nyles Morgan and Andrew Trumbetti. Others to sign were: Hawaii offensive lineman Dejon Allen; Bucknell defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson; Indiana defensive back Rashard Fant; Kentucky receiver Garrett Johnson; Oregon State running back Ryan Nall; Shepherd linebacker Elijah Norris; TCU safety Nick Orr; West Georgia receiver Shaq Roland; Old Dominion defensive end Bunmi Rotimi; LSU cornerback Kevin Toliver II; Maryland defensive lineman Cavon Walker; and Pitt punter Ryan Winslow.
The Bears will have 43 tryout players, including two former college star quarterbacks: Aaron Murray, who played at Georgia from 2010 to ’13, and Trevor Knight, who played at Oklahoma and Texas A&M from 2013 to ’16. Tackle Matt McCants and defensive end Kendall Reyes are among the others.
After the three-day minicamp, organized team activities begin Tuesday.
