The Chicago Bears may have achieved more than anyone thought possible in Ben Johnson's rookie season by winning a playoff game and seeing Caleb Williams ascend to near-elite levels, but Ryan Poles needs to put that season in the rear-view mirror as he prepares for what could be an extremely important 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bears will need to spend most of their NFL Draft capital on improving the team's defense, as Dennis Allen's group started to fall apart in critical moments while Williams and the offense bailed them out. Cornerback and pass rusher were weak spots that more effective offenses have no trouble working around.
FanSided's recent three-round NFL Mock Draft has the Bears using their first-round pick at No. 25 overall on a cornerback rather than a pass rusher, selecting South Carolina's Brandon Cisse. The pass rusher need was addressed in the later rounds due to depth at the position.
The team's second-round pick at No. 57 overall was used on Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. The offense is finally improved in the third round at No. 89 overall, as Chicago will add another running back to the mix in Nebraska's Emmett Johnson.
Bears add Brandon Cisse, Dani Dennis-Sutton in 2026 3-round NFL Mock Draft
Cisse is not only an absolute bulldog at the line of scrimmage, making it tough for receivers to get off the line, but also a tremendous tackler in the open field. Cisse is rising up draft boards, as the lack of high-end depth in this cornerback class could make him a first-round player.
With Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon both staying to stay healthy, and Nahshon Wright's interception numbers helping make up for some busts in coverage, Cisse is the type of high-ceiling player this lackluster secondary, which could lose both starting safeties, could use.
Dennis-Sutton is not going to be a guy who compiles double-digit sacks every year, but at almost 270 pounds, he is a robust edge who excels at playing the run. He would immediately start in Chicago, which could help take some of the pressure off Montez Sweat.
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Johnson could help guard against either D'Andre Swift or Kyle Monangai regressing. With Swift a free agent after 2026, Johnson and Monangai could be a powerful 1-2 punch for Ben Johnson in the backfield if his ability to bowl over defenders translates to the NFL.