This is it -- the day before the 2026 NFL Draft and a day where we'll hear plenty of final words by some of the best analysts and insiders in the business. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles will likely have a good amount of options at pick no. 25, but some of the latest intel could change Poles' plans altogether.
Over at ESPN, one of the best in the business just put out his final mock draft for 2026. Peter Schrager is as plugged-in as just about anybody, and this analysis isn't about the Bears' being mocked to take Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker at 25.
No, we've got to look a bit higher to see a golden opportunity at hand for Poles and the Bears.
At pick no. 12, Schrager has the Kansas City Chiefs selecting Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. after a trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
That's the focus, here. Bain falling out of the top 10 and to pick 12? Poles should be on his phone trying to get to that pick before Bain was gone.
Ryan Poles should risk it all to get Rueben Bain on the Chicago Bears if he fell outside the top 10
First and foremost, and speaking of draft experts, FanSided's own Mike Luciano recently released his Big Board where he listed his top 50 players in this year's class. We've been talking about this project lately, but with respect to Schrager's mock, his analysis gives the Poles a reason to make a drastic move.
Luciano has Bain listed as his No. 7 overall pass rusher. Schrager calls Bain the third-best of this class.
Now, normally, a player getting taken five spots later than he was ranked isn't as big a deal. But this is a top-10 player we're talking about, and at the Bears' greatest positional need.
Up to this point, it's been a lot of "if this, then that" type of talk. And, sure, this is more of the same. But it's coming from Schrager. If he truly thinks it's possible for Bain to fall to pick no. 12, then that's the area Poles has to start seriously considering moving up to.
Luciano had high praise for Bain in his analysis:
"Bain is already an elite run-stuffer, and with a violent disposition on the field and tremendous bend for the position, anyone who selects Bain should make him an instant starter with his hand in the dirt."
Luciano also went on to say that he wouldn't rule out Bain making a Pro Bowl in his first season.
Chicago needs a player like Bain, but there are a lot of folks who have him listed as a top-10 player. So, up to this point, it's seemed like an impossibility. However, if Poles could package pick no. 25 and a future first-round selection to get a pick right around 12 and maybe a fourth-round pick in return, that'd be well worth the move.
Read more: Bears fans could be headed for a wild draft night if this GM's prediction holds
Bain is everything Chicago needs on that defensive front, and if he slips a little, Poles shouldn't hesitate.
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