As the 2026 NFL Combine shifts into high gear, the Chicago Bears are hunting for a specific physical profile to complete their defensive front.
Under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the Bears are transitioning to a more aggressive, man-heavy scheme that demands length and heavy-handed power from its edge defenders. With Montez Sweat anchoring one side and the ascending Austin Booker providing speed-to-power, the Bears' prototype for a complementary piece points directly at one ballplayer in the 2026 class.
The Target: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
If you look at the recent physical blueprint of a Bears defensive end, Dennis-Sutton fits the mold of a high-ceiling, long-limbed disruptor. At 6-foot-5 and 260-plus pounds (verified), Dennis-Sutton has the frame that Allen has historically idealized.
- The Fit: Dennis-Sutton is a long-strider who excels at setting the edge and locking out blockers. Unlike Booker, who wins with twitch and bend, Dennis-Sutton is a power-first defender. He uses his massive frame to muddy running lanes, making him a potential perfect big end to balance out the rotation. In 2025, he recorded a career-high 51 pressures, proving he has the engine to match his physical tools.
- The Factor: Likely to come off the board on Day 2 (rounds 2-3), Dennis-Sutton offers a physical profile remarkably similar to Montez Sweat. Sweat (6-foot-6, 262 lbs) and Dennis-Sutton both possess the elite length that makes passing windows disappear, and pairing them would give Chicago two long, rangy, powerful three-down defenders on the edges while allowing Booker to serve as a designated pass-rusher in certain situations.
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Why the Combine Matters
In Indy, the Bears will be hyper-focused on Dennis-Sutton's 10-yard split -- a good time at his size sits in the 1.60-1.63 range. While he is a smooth athlete, and there are no questions about his ability as a run defender, teams want to see if he possesses the suddenness required to win early in the rep at the NFL level.