Mock draft season continues to be in full force, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of positions to target, specifically on defense.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles will work closely with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as they look to fill positions at all three levels of the defense: the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary. Chicago will most likely look at edge rushers and safeties in the first two rounds of the draft, with depth at linebacker needed.
Most of the mock drafts over the offseason have had the Bears going either edge rusher or safety in the first round of the draft. The latest one from ESPN's Field Yates makes sure he can get that done for Chicago.
Field Yates is all defense in two-round mock draft
Yates would first address the edge rusher position for the Bears, as he predicts Missouri's Zion Young as the first pick.
"The Bears need to keep investing in edge rushers after tying for the worst pass rush win rate in 2025 (28.8%) and not signing any big-time free agents. Young would be a good fit here because of his play style. He uses heavy, power hands and his 6-foot-6 frame to engage and run through offensive tackles. Young also has some versatility to reduce down inside on sub downs and rush effectively because his sturdy frame can withstand contact. He had 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025."
The next pick from Yates would be with the 57th overall pick for the Bears. Chicago is predicted to select Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
"Chicago's defensive overhaul this offseason included the release of Tremaine Edmunds and an overall focus on getting faster. Rodriguez would help with the latter in Edmunds' place. Making him an even better fit is that he's the best ball disruptor in the class; he forced an astonishing seven fumbles and had four interceptions in 2025. The Bears led the NFL in takeaways last season (33)."
They would be back at it with the 60th overall pick as well. Yates has the Bears looking in the secondary with Arizona cornerback and safety Treydan Stukes.
"Stukes is a hybrid player who can effectively impact the running game (28 tackles on designed rushes in 2025) and produce in coverage (four INTs). He's an older prospect at age 26, but he'd be a useful addition to a Chicago safety room that lost Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker in free agency."
Read more: Latest Bears trade idea would actually be doing them a much-needed favor
All three selected players would give the Bears the depth needed on defense, with two of them, Young and Stukes, potentially starting in Week 1. Allen would love to have these guys on the Bears if it comes true.