There weren't many happy Chicago Bears fans coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft, as the team didn't meet most of the fan base's goals.
Everyone wanted them to address the defensive line by picking a defensive tackle and an edge rusher in the first two days, which they did not do, and they only took Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round. That leaves the 2027 NFL Draft to be the place where Bears general manager Ryan Poles will have to use to find the future talent on the line.
In a new 2027 mock draft, ESPN NFL draft expert Jordan Reid has the Bears taking Miami defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. with the 16th overall pick.
"The Bears went surprisingly light on the interior defensive line in last week's draft, waiting until the sixth round to address the position. Moten is an explosive disruptor who finished with nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. He has quick and powerful hands to swipe away interior blockers and is a stout run defender who can stand his ground in gaps. Moten needs to play with better pad level, as his aggressiveness can cause him to play high and be pushed out of position, but he could be the Grady Jarrett heir apparent in Chicago."
Bears finally get defensive lineman in first round Ryan Poles wouldn't actually do
First off, picking 16th seems like a very high pick for the Bears, as they are expected to make the playoffs. Reid doesn't seem to have much confidence in Chicago for the 2026 campaign.
Back to the actual selection, Moten feels like a great selection on paper, as he had a great 2025 season for Miami. He racked up 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 14 games last year.
Even though Jarrett would be under contract for one more year, the Bears might have an option of cutting or trading him next offseason if he doesn't play well in 2026, which in turn would help him create much-needed cap space. If they moved on from Jarrett, Moten would be a direct replacement for him, and the Bears can build the defensive tackle position with him and Gervon Dexter as the future.
One thing that the 2026 NFL Draft pointed out about Poles, though, is that he is stubborn with the defensive line. He believes he got it right with last offseason's signings of Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, when it is as clear as day that neither is where they need to be.
Read more: Jeremy Fowler's new report reveals Bears' true plans in second round of the draft
If the defensive line does not improve in 2026, Poles will feel pressure from the fan base and will have to answer for himself for not addressing it in the offseason. Moten would be a great pick, but with Poles' philosophy on selecting the best player available, would he actually make the move?
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