Keagan Smith breaks down what you need to know about the Chicago Bears’ draft picks and team needs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
The first season of head coach Ben Johnson’s tenure with the Chicago Bears played out in storybook fashion. A new energy surrounded the franchise, which finished the regular season as NFC North champs with an 11-6 record before making it to the NFC Divisional Round come playoff time.
Sure, the premature end to the campaign was disappointing, but the Bears were playing with house money. Now heading into year three of the Caleb Williams era and second season with Johnson at the helm, expectations are high heading into 2026. The upcoming draft provides a chance to patch up a few holes on this roster, especially with an extra selection in the second round. How will Chicago handle business once the team is on the clock?
Here are the details you need to know about the Bears’ draft capital before they’re on the clock this Thursday, plus a prediction and pick for the first round.
There were some notable changes over the offseason as Chicago traded wideout DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills along with later picks in exchange for a second-round selection. Starting center Drew Dalman also retired at the age of 27 just one year into a sizable contract extension. However, there’s much more good than bad. Caleb Williams looks the part of an electric franchise quarterback and will hopefully continue to improve, especially with a young pass-catching corps composed of Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and Colston Loveland. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai form a complimentary backfield duo as well.
On the defensive side of things, the Bears weren’t a particularly stout unit as a whole but found ways to make winning plays when it mattered most last season. Better health for Jaylon Johnson should provide a major boost to the secondary while signing safety Coby Bryant adds a little extra punch. Likewise, new linebacker Devin Bush has proven himself and joins a front seven with Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett and T.J. Edwards. There’s upside, just not a ton of star power.
With No. 25 and another pair of top-60 selections in the second round, the Bears are positioned nicely to add instant contributors.
In all likelihood, Chicago will likely use two of its first three picks on the defense. Yes, offensive line remains a bit shaky (particularly at left tackle), but there aren’t many holes on that side of the ball and the defense needs more clear upgrades.
The Bears clearly need some extra pop on the defensive line, whether that be at tackle or EDGE. Clemson lineman Peter Woods could shore up the middle of the trenches, but Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald brings championship pedigree at the same position and is also projected to go somewhere around No. 25. Either one would provide run-stopping ability, though perhaps a slight slide for Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk could recapture some of the upside he flashed during his 2024 season with the Tigers. Any of those three feel like possible — if not likely — selections given the Bears’ weaknesses.
One more option who stands out is Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. While the MAC doesn’t have Power-Four pedigree, the Rockets produced an excellent defensive back in Terrion Arnold and McNeil-Warren could follow a similar pathway. He appears to be the most popular pick for Chicago per the NFL Mock Draft Database, which creates a consensus mock from over 100 sources. At 20%, the safety has been picked more than any other player in this spot and would help alleviate the loss of Jaquan Brisker, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
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