Here at FanSided, we are all about you: the fans. And, here specifically at Bear Goggles On, we are of course all about our beloved Chicago Bears. So, as we gear up for the 2026 NFL Draft, all of us here are just as eager as any of you reading this for draft night.
These Bears enter this particular draft night without a top-10 pick for the first time in three years. Picking first at no. 25 overall, the possibilities are endless.
Thankfully for us, and maybe even the Bears themselves, one of our draft experts has made it easier than ever to figure out how general manager Ryan Poles can nail his initial picks. Draft guru Mike Luciano has put out his Big Board, detailing his top 50 prospects in this class, along with every single team's specific needs and hopes.
Using these phenomenal resources, we put together a quick plan on how the Bears can come away with exactly what they need early on.
The Chicago Bears can easily land two of the best and most-realistic prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
Looking at Luciano's Big Board, the Bears' first pick at no. 25 is as simple as it gets. He has Florida's Caleb Banks ranked at no. 25 overall. It's. That. Easy.
Banks gives the Bears precisely what the interior of this defensive line has been lacking. He has absurd movement skills and, according to Luciano, Banks' ceiling is that of an All-Pro defensive tackle.
Luciano also highlights the red flags which are, of course, not something to take lightly. The biggest one is the fact that he simply hasn't played a lot of football lately due to injury.
But, on that same note, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy could be a first-round cornerback and he hasn't played football in well over a year. So, let thank sink in.
Banks is one of those prospects who has so many physical tools and all he needs is some solid NFL coaching to help him unlock his full potential. The burst, quick feet, and overall size are incredibly tantalizing. Give him a year in the league to grow and polish, and watch out.
The Chicago Bears can find a way to get one more top-50 player in the 2026 NFL Draft
Looking a little further down Luciano's Big Board, you'll find one particular pass rusher that checks in at no. 47 overall. But the Bears don't pick again until 57 and 60. So, they'll have to do a little dealing.
Ryan Poles calls up Chris Ballard and helps the Colts move up from the fourth round into the third by offering him a later second-rounder. This way, the Bears are able to land another starting-caliber defensive end to go with Montez Sweat.
Let's get this out of the way: Young had a DWI just this past December, so there is a concern over character.
However, underneath the coaching of Dennis Allen, Young will be whipped into shape quickly, so long as he is willing.
Young has an untameable motor. He plays with an alpha mentality and has a "deep toolbox of pass rush moves," as Luciano wrote.
The violent play style and physicality are something the Bears have lacked on this line. Sweat hasn't been that guy, so if Young comes in and sets that type of tone within the defensive line room, this defense could see a dramatic shift.
Read more: NFL Draft expert thinks Bears would be reaching on a fan favorite at pick 25
Young was a locker room leader at Missouri. He was "that dude." If he can put the character concerns behind him and turn the page, Young's slide to the mid-second round could equate to a Luther Burden-type of chip on his shoulder.
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