Latest Bears mock draft has team picking SEC defensive weapon fans would love

The Chicago Bears could go a lot of different directions in the 2026 NFL draft, and they have had plenty of different players mocked to them in projected mock drafts. One name that may be a perfect fit is Keldric Faulk from Auburn.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune recently did his latest mock draft, and he played out the 24 picks before that to make it happen. With pick 25, he chose Keldric Faulk.

He still had Dillon Thienenman, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, and T.J. Parker on the board at that point. There is a strong reason to take a safety with the first pick, but at the same time, safety is easier to find at later points in the draft. Parker is another edge rusher and would have been a good choice as well. However, Faulk brings many of the traits the Bears value and may be too good a fit to pass up.

Will the Chicago Bears get a chance to select Keldric Faulk in the 2026 NFL draft?

His best trait is his size. He has great length, is well-built and stout, and can defend the run. This is everything that Dennis Allen wants in his rushers. While a run defending edge rusher is not the sexiest first-round pick, it is exactly what the Bears want.

Austin Booker is a speed rusher. He is great when he can let go and get after the passer. However, while his run defense has improved, it leaves a lot to be desired. More than that, the more snaps that he took defending the run, the more tired he was for those pass-rushing snaps. So, it was impacting his overall play.

Faulk not only can get Booker off the field so that he is fresh for the obvious pass rushing downs, but he can also slide inside on those pass rushing downs to join Booker in a stronger rusher. A group of Faulk, Booker, Montez Sweat, and Gervon Dexter would be strong on third and long, while Faulk, Sweat, Dexter, and Grady Jarrett can defend the run.

The big question with Faulk is whether he falls this far, but if he does, it is hard not to see him as the best fit on the board. You can say that the floor for Faulk is at 25 in this draft.