The Chicago Bears enter the 2026 NFL Draft with big questions on the defensive line that need to be addressed.
Fans in the Windy City want the Bears to get an edge rusher and defensive tackle to help develop this unit. Athlon Sports NFL Draft analyst Luke Easterling released his latest mock draft, where he likes the Bears to make a trade out of the first round to go get New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
"It looks like Lawrence wants change of scenery, and the Giants could find a willing trade partner in the Bears, who need the interior dominance he brings to the defensive trenches."
Bears predicted to make a trade for Dexter Lawrence
Most Bears fans would be perfectly fine with the team getting rid of their first-round pick to land a stellar defensive player like Lawrence after requesting a trade from the Giants. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection after 30.5 sacks, 15 pass deflections, and five forced fumbles in his NFL career.
The defensive line has been a massive concern with struggles at edge rusher and defensive tackle. Montez Sweat is great off the edge, and Austin Booker has potential with the Bears being high on him, but that's really it. At tackle, it's just Gervon Dexter with Grady Jarrett there too, but he has disappointed fans after signing him last offseason.
Lawrence is a complete game-changer for that defense, as he gives them a consistent run-stopper and pass-rusher up the middle. Pairing him with Dexter would make this Bears' defensive line a dream unit.
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It's one of those moves that would instantly move the Bears up from a playoff contender to a Super Bowl contender in a heartbeat.