The Chicago Bears have moved past the 2026 NFL Draft, and now the focus is on developing the current roster and getting them ready for the season.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles focused on offense more than many expected in the early rounds of the draft. That move resulted in FOX Sports NFL reporter Ralph Vacchiano placing Chicago ninth in his post-draft power rankings, down one spot from his last ranking.
"They did what they had to do in the draft, finding a starting safety (Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman) and offensive line help (Iowa C Logan Jones). Everything else just adds to the depth of a team ready to rise."
Bears take one step back in latest power rankings
Chicago got better in some respects from the draft, but in others, pretty much stayed the same. The lack of focus on defense in the early rounds really hurt them, but the Bears' future looks solid.
The Thieneman pick was by far the best of the draft, immediately helping a position of need and improving the Bears' defense. While the Jones pick was more for the future, and some felt it was a reach, he will end up being a great starter for Chicago in the next five years.
Where the Bears did not get the boost in their place in the power rankings is in the third round, with their picks of Stanford tight end Sam Roush and LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas. Roush will be a third-stringer and is more of a blocking tight end, which isn't a bad thing, but it doesn't exactly improve the roster right now. Thomas' selection is tough because it was a reach, and most believe he is just a speed guy.
One main problem with the Bears' draft is that they did not do enough on defense, specifically on the defensive line. They needed an elite edge rusher and defensive tackle, and neither was selected. Chicago did pick a tackle, but not until the sixth round, so not enough was done to improve that already suspect unit.
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The Bears' roster did get better, but everyone else ahead of them got a little better through the draft. Chicago should still be in the conversation for the playoffs and Super Bowl, but their lack of focus on defense early in the draft will hurt the Bears.
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