When it comes to the NFL Draft, it’s hard to find someone who has more knowledge on the players than Daniel Jeremiah, as Chicago Bears fans should take notes on what he says.
The former NFL scout and current analyst for the NFL Network met with NFL reporters for a conference call to preview the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Jeremiah answered questions for one hour, 55 minutes.
Jeremiah provided plenty of insight on many of the top prospects for all 32 NFL teams, including the Bears. Here are some of the top takeaways from Jeremiah’s answers when asked about Chicago.
Daniel Jeremiah's insights into Bears' 2026 NFL Draft
To start, the former NFL scout said the Bears are in a great spot with the No. 25 overall pick to select an edge rusher or an offensive tackle.
Jeremiah highlighted Clemson right tackle Blake Miller and George left tackle Monroe Freeling, among others, who could be available. Freeling, the 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive lineman, would make more sense for the Bears, considering there is an open spot at left tackle after Ozzy Trapilo sustained a patellar tendon injury, which will force him to miss a large portion of the 2026 season.
For the edge rushers, Jeremiah mentioned Miami’s Akeem Mesidor.
“With Mesidor, we talked about a little bit older but a great player,” Jeremiah said.
Other edge rushers that were highlighted were Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas, and Missouri’s Zion Young.
“They’re in a good spot,” Jeremiah said. “There are some years where your need and where you’re picking and you’re like, ‘Oh crap, we better move one way or another.’ I think they can just sit right where they are and see how it falls.”
In Jeremiah’s mock draft 2.0, he had the Bears drafting Clemson interior defensive lineman Peter Woods. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle forced 14 total quarterback pressures, including three sacks, and registered 21 total tackles last season as a junior.
“You know the defensive tackle to me was finding somebody that had the quickness and the twitch to be able to get on the other side of the line of scrimmage and make some difference-making plays,” Jeremiah said. “Peter Woods, that to me, he’s really, really dynamic and quick with how he operates there, and I think that’s about the range (Pick 25) of where he goes. …”
Jeremiah also mentions that Woods had a good year, but he didn’t take “that huge leap” that people would have thought. Still, Jeremiah highlighted that Woods has enough twitch and explosiveness at the position.
Read more: One Bears imperative position still remains the biggest need during 2026 offseason
He answered questions for almost two hours, so for those looking to gain more insight on the 2026 NFL Draft prospects, the media conference call would be a great tool to get everyone up to speed.