Chicago Bears: Kevin Toliver could develop into a reliable option

With time and proper coaching, undrafted free agent corner Kevin Toliver could develop into a reliable player for the Chicago Bears defense.

The Chicago Bears signed former LSU cornerback Kevin Toliver as an undrafted free agent in the hope that he can be developed by Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell into a reliable depth piece. The cornerback position was not a pressing need for the team after the Bears resigned Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara, yet it never hurts to take a low-risk flyer on a player with the amount of talent Toliver has.

Toliver was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and attended LSU for three years. In his collegiate career, Toliver racked up 83 tackles, two interceptions and 16 passes defended. His junior season was a bit up-and-down, but Toliver decided to declare for the NFL Draft early. Draft experts had a fourth or fifth round grade on him, so it was surprising he went undrafted.

Toliver does have some red flags, however, that may have turned off some teams’ interest in him. His injury history is a bit alarming, as is his character and work ethic. Toliver was suspended in college and had his attitude, character, and maturity questioned by both scouts and coaches.

Despite this, Toliver is a low-risk flyer for the Bears. He has ideal size (6-2) to play cornerback in Vic Fangio’s defense and has the physical tools to even make a move to safety. His ball skills and instincts are a work in progress, but with proper coaching, Toliver could improve.

There might not be a spot on the opening-day roster for Toliver, but he could be a fine addition to the practice squad. It’ll take some time for Toliver to develop into a reliable NFL starter, but that’s what the practice squad is for.

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Size and physical tools cannot be taught; technique and fundamentals can. If Toliver can stay on the straight-and-narrow, he could develop into a valuable piece for the defense.