WCG’s lead draft analyst breaks down the Bears’ local standout defensive lineman they signed as a UDFA.
The Chicago Bears have signed Illinois defensive tackle Keith Randolph Jr. as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft.
A three-year starter for Illinois, Randolph was an anchor of the Fighting Illini’s defense up the middle. He was an All-Big Ten third-team member in 2022, an honorable mention from the media in 2021, an honorable mention for coaches in 2023, and a third-team member that year, as well. He finishes his collegiate career with 10.0 sacks and 23.0 tackles for a loss.
Randolph earned invitations to both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine in the pre-draft process, but he fell through the cracks and slipped into undrafted free agency. Now, as one of the top defenders to go undrafted in the 2024 class, the Belleville native ends up playing for the NFL team in his home state.
I took to the tape to analyze Randolph’s game and what he brings to the Bears.
THREAD: The #Bears signed one of the top defensive UDFAs in Illinois DL Keith Randolph Jr.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2024
Randolph has a killer swim/armover move — it’s his bread and butter.
He’s quick off the line of scrimmage and has the finesse in his hands needed to clear an OL’s strikes and get into opposing backfields. #Bears pic.twitter.com/Fd3AlWHIJr
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2024
Randolph had a strong Senior Bowl performance, making it even more confusing he didn’t get drafted.
As you’ll see here, he can string moves together well. The push-pull is strong in his game, and when he adds the swim to it, it’s game over. #Bears pic.twitter.com/T8ijx7Ln9b
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2024
Injuries slowed Randolph down a bit in 2023, but the year before he had a 79.0 PFF grade with 26 QB hurries.
Here he is generating quick pressure up the middle against John Michael Schmitz. #Bears pic.twitter.com/7stEsokOlq
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2024
Though Randolph is best as a 3-tech, he can rush as far inside as a 1-tech and as far out as a 5-tech.
His quickness for his size on tape, along with his plan as a pass rusher, gives him some solid DL versatility. #Bears pic.twitter.com/bKBj2uGQ79
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2024
Here’s Keith Randolph’s RAS grade. He’s quicker on tape than how he ran at the Combine.
He’s a Belleville native and a team captain who was an All-Big Ten player in 2022 and honorable mention in 2023. #Bears pic.twitter.com/bGiGRH6Yfd
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2024
I think Keith Randolph Jr. has a good chance to crack the #Bears 53-man roster.
That DT4 spot is wide open, and Randolph has the strength, hand usage and slipperiness to serve as a solid backup DL. Good add for Chicago.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2024
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