Heading toward free agency, the Chicago Bears are sure to be active on the signing and trade fronts. What happens between now and St. Patrick's Day will strongly shape the plan for April's draft, as areas that need reinforcement stand to take better shape or perhaps get exposed.
To some extent, even with a later first-round pick than they've had in a while, the early part of the draft will be the Bears' oyster with strong depth at all their positions of need on the defensive side of the ball.
The first two rounds of the Bears' ideal three-round draft haul from Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus hits the expected notes, with Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods in the first round (pick No. 25) and LSU safety A.J. Haulcy in the second at pick 57.
"While the team’s offense blossomed under Ben Johnson, the Bears’ defense is still looking for upgrades at several positions. Chicago must add starters along its interior defensive line, and Woods would fit the bill tremendously with a 74.0 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024 and a 74.2 PFF run-defense mark last year. Further, with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker pending free agents, Haulcy (88.6 PFF coverage grade) could be a replacement at safety."
Bears' perfect draft haul for 2026 NFL Draft
Woods had a drop-off in production from 2024 to 2025. He was not alone among draft-eligible Clemson defensive linemen last season in that respect, which looks like an indictment on the team more than any one individual. If he lasts to 25th overall, he'd likely be the proverbial best-player available, and he just so happens to play a position of need for the Bears.
If one or both of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker depart in free agency, and with other safety prospects boosting their stock at the Combine, Haulcy is shaping up as a nice fit for the Bears in the second round at No. 57 overall. He was all All-SEC selection and an All-American in his lone year at LSU, with 88 total tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups. Over four college seasons, at New Mexico, Houston and LSU, he never had less than 74 total tackles with multiple interceptions three times.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com calls Haulcy "a rare blend of ballhawk and enforcer", which is right up defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's alley.
Then Locker went a little off the beaten path to complete the ideal three-round haul for the Bears, with UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell being brought into the fold after the obvious move that would drive that idea.
"Receiver is a wild-card position for the Bears, too. If D.J. Moore is traded, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Chicago draft a wideout — after all, the team double-dipped at pass-catcher last April. Bell enjoyed a career season with UConn, registering an 85.1 PFF receiving grade with 8.2 yards after the catch per reception while playing both inside and out."
After averaging 17.2 yards per catch in his first season at UConn in 2024, Bell took a big step last season with 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Bears may end up drafting a wide receiver after trading Moore, but using a top-100 pick on one would clearly be taking the best player available when the defense will likely still need help.
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Ryan Poles has earned some leeway after last year's draft class yielded multiple instant contributors. So, after two defensive players to fill needs, what would easily be classified as a bit of a luxury pick to round out the first two days of this year's draft probably wouldn't draw many complaints from Bears' fans.