Since the Chicago Bears' schedule for Week 6 is different from the past few weeks, general manager Ryan Poles had a chance to take a trip to a local football game to check out some prospects that could help the team in the 2026 NFL Draft.
One of the top games of the college football weekend was between the number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and 17th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini, with significant playoff and Big Ten conference implications. Ohio State dominated the game from the start and pulled out a 34-16 win over the Fighting Illini.
There were plenty of standout performances from players who would be great fits for the Bears in 2026. Poles have their work cut out for them with so many great options.
Buckeye players who Poles should consider in the 2026 NFL Draft
The likelihood of Poles nabbing safety Caleb Downs in the draft would only happen if the Bears completely collapse this season and have a top-five pick. If they do, he might be the best option as he's college football's best defensive player.
This season, Downs has made 19 tackles and one interception, including nine of those tackles coming against Illinois. Bears safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are in the final year of their contracts so that Downs could be a replacement for one of them.
The pass rush has been a nightmare for the Bears, as they are tied with the Carolina Panthers for the fewest sacks in the season, with five. Look no further than Arvell Reese, who is coming off a 1.5-sack game against the Fighting Illini.
Reese has racked up 29 tackles, three sacks, and two pass deflections this season. He is awesome off the edge with great speed and rarely misses a tackle. Chicago could put him on one of the edges with Montez Sweat, and the Bears could have a future Micah Parsons there.
One other option for Poles to consider is linebacker Sonny Styles. He is coming off a 10-tackle performance against Illinois and has 28 tackles on the season with a forced fumble.
This option depends on what the Bears do with Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards at linebacker. Edmunds has had a much better season for Chicago than in the past, and Edwards has been injured for all but one quarter. Styles adds more depth to the position and could bring in younger players, which might include Noah Sewell and rookie Ruben Hyppolite II.
Read more: Bears secondary gifted significant advantage over Commanders after injury update
Poles has some great options on Ohio State, focusing on defensive players, but he could also look at the offense for potential picks. This could be a good problem for them depending on how the 2025 season goes.