The Chicago Bears managed to put together another Ryan Poles-approved NFL Draft class, as the organization's emphasis on athletic ability has helped them land multiple projected starters.
While Bears fans have to be excited about their new defensive Swiss Army knife in Dillon Thieneman and a long-term starting center in Logan Jones, there are some questionable picks that got fans wondering about the strategy. Picking Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas in the third round would certainly apply.
Some picks stand out as more worthy of adulation than others. Which Bears picks stood out above the rest, and which will need to show flashes to win this fanbase over?
Chicago Bears 2026 NFL Draft class awards after multiple quality moves
Best Pick: Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman being available at No. 25 was a minor surprise, and the Bears pounced. With extreme versatility, tremendous athletic ability, and ball skills, Thieneman and Coby Bryant will be the Bears' starting safety duo for the next few years.
Worst Pick: Zavion Thomas
There were points last year where Thomas, who was expected by many to be picked later on Day 3, looked like the fourth-best wide receiver on his own LSU team. He has track-star speed, but without a well-rounded game, he might be more at home in the 100-meter dash.
Biggest Wild Card: Sam Roush
Roush's impact on the tight end room will be something to watch. Will the Bears use him, Colston Loveland, and Cole Kmet all heavily during the season? Is Kmet as good as gone, with Roush becoming TE2? Will Roush be put on ice as a rookie as Kmet gets re-evaluated in 2027?
Biggest Sleeper: Keyshaun Elliott
Elliott is a multi-year collegiate starter with a very smart football brain and exceptional run defense skills. If he starts to show even the most cursory improvement in coverage, the Bears could find someone who takes time away from Ruben Hyppolite and Noah Sewell.
Biggest Need: Defensive Line
The Bears were projected by many to use their first pick on an edge rusher or defensive linemen, and a big subset of that group anticipated they would double-dip. Chicago added no one until a sixth-round athleticism dart thrown in Jordan van den Berg, leaving this defensive line rotation as suspect as it was last year.
Read more: Bears send unmistakable message to these 4 players with NFL Draft choices
Overall Grade: B
Jones was a slight reach to nab a Drew Dalman replacement, adding Roush to a very crowded tight end room might neutralize his value, and picking Thomas instead of a pass rusher was baffling. Even with that, the Thieneman pick was great, and some Day 3 steals are enough to give this class a quality mark.
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