The Bears’ extreme roster makeover continued Wednesday when new general manager Ryan Poles claimed a whopping six players off the waiver wire.
The biggest name is former Raiders tackle Alex Leatherwood, who was a surprise first-round pick just last year. The No. 17 overall pick played every game for Las Vegas last season, starting at right tackle and struggling before moving to right guard. He began the preseason back at right tackle and was cut by a new regime after the Raiders fired GM Mike Mayock.
By claiming Leatherwood, the Bears inherit his contract. Leatherwood signed a four-year, $14.4 million deal as a rookie, though the Raiders have already paid him a $7.8 million signing bonus.
The Bears also claimed cornerback Josh Blackwell from the Eagles, who is a rookie from Duke; tight end Trevon Wesco, who played three years with the Jets; defensive end Kingsley Jonathan from the Bills, who’s a rookie from Syracuse; defensive tackle Armon Watts, who had started nine games for the Vikings last year; and linebacker Sterling Weatherford from the Colts, who is a rookie from Miami (Ohio).
Watts had five sacks in the Vikings’ 4-3 defense last year. They switched to a 3-4 this year under coordinator Ed Donatell, a former Bears defensive backs coach and Vic Fangio disciple.
To make room, the Bears must remove six players from their 53-man roster.
No Bears players waived Tuesday were claimed by any other NFL team.
Starting Wednesday afternoon, the Bears can also begin assembling their 16-man practice squad.
