The Chicago Bears could go in a lot of directions in the 2026 NFL Draft to address their needs. What are some potential perfect outcomes for every round?
Round 1: T.J. Parker (Clemson, EDGE), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo, Safety), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State, DL)
The question for the Bears should be defensive line, edge rusher, or safety. For the first two, the question is whether they will fall to the 25th pick. For McDonald, the question is whether he is a good value pick there, or whether they should wait until later to address the defensive line.Â
Round 2: Gabe Jacas (Illinois, EDGE), A.J. Haulcy (LSU, Safety), Germie Bernard (Alabama, WR)
There are definitely good edge rusher options in the second round, and Haulcy could be a good fit at safety. The defensive linemen who are good fits here may all go between 25 and 57, which makes it a complicated question in the first round. Still, this may be a good time to add a DJ Moore replacement in Germie Bernard.Â
Round 3: Connor Lew (Auburn, C), Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina, Safety), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech, DL)
If the Bears want to look at center, this is the range at which they will have to do so. There are going to be defensive linemen around in this range as well. One reason to pass on safety in round one is that there appear to be options available at every point in the draft.Â
Round 4: Markell Bell (Miami, OT), Trey Zuhn Texas A&M, OL), Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M, DL)
If the Bears want to take a tackle to compete with Braxton Jones, now may be the time. There will also be center options in this range. This is about as late as they can take a defensive lineman who can make an impact as a rookie.Â
Round 5: Travis Burke (Memphis, OT), VJ Payne (Kansas State, Safety), Max Llewellyn (Iowa, EDGE)
Burke is a project, but this is a good range to swing on upside at tackle. They could also find a rotational edge rusher like Llewellyn, and getting Payne this late suggests the team could find safety at any point.Â
Round 6: DeMonte Capehart (Cincinnati, DL), Tyreak Sapp (Florida, EDGE), Malik Benson (Oregon, WR)
Capehart is a run-stuffing nose tackle, and Sapp is a big edge who can set the edge but brings little pass-rush juice. Benson is a good swing at wide receiver late.Â
Read more: 5 late round sleepers Bears won't be able to resist in 2026 NFL Draft
Round 7: Tim Keenan (Alabama, DL), JC Davis (Illinois, OL), Cole Wisniewski (Texas Tech, Safety)
Keenan can add to the rotation on the line, Davis is a swing on upside at tackle, and Wisniewski should make the team due to special teams.
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