To build on their 2025 success, the Chicago Bears need to hit on a decent number of their 2026 NFL Draft picks.
As always, the first round is the most important. I've been following many of the mock drafts published both locally and nationally. Local mock drafts have been better than the national ones, but too many do not make sense when you look at the moves made this offseason and draft history.
I recently finished ranking my top 75 prospects. Aside from a few players I don't believe have any chance of falling within range for the Bears, I have identified 11 players who make the most sense. This is not a generic draft board. Instead, these are fits based on scheme, needs, and realistic draft range.
I think we can all agree that there are fewer needs on the offensive side of the ball compared to the defensive side. I wouldn't completely rule out the chances of the Bears selecting an offensive player if he is that much higher on their big board. However, there are only two offensive players that I believe make sense. Sorry, Jordyn Tyson fans!
Left Tackle
Monroe Freeling, LT - Georgia
The top left tackle prospect in my rankings is Monroe Freeling. I would be shocked if Freeling falls to 25. He is the 12th overall prospect on my big board. However, if he somehow falls to 18 or lower, I think Poles would need to heavily consider trading up for him.
Freeling has exceptional size and has the prototypical length most teams covet in a left tackle. He is 6-foot-7 and weighs 315 pounds. His arm length came in at 34-3/4". Paired with his size is great athleticism. He has quick feet, sets his anchor well, and can be a disruptor in the run game.
Kaydn Proctor, LT - Alabama
A more realistic player to fall to the Bears at 25 is Kaydn Proctor. Proctor is the 25th overall prospect on my big board. I wouldn't necessarily love the choice. It would depend on what other players were still available.
Proctor is another massive human being. He is far less athletic and lacks the same arm length. Those problems do not often appear on film, though. He has adequate foot speed and uses his hands well. He does a good job setting the edge, but can struggle against speedy defenders going outside to inside. I'd be hoping for a different position, but both of these tackles make sense.
Safety
Dillon Thieneman, S - Oregon
Thieneman is another long shot to get anywhere near the 25th pick. He is 10th on my overall big board. If, for some reason, he falls as many safeties tend to do, then like Monroe Freeling, I'd expect Poles to heavily consider trading up. I'd even consider moving up to 15 if the cost is right.
Thieneman is just that good a prospect. He would complement Coby Bryant well and fit what Dennis Allen wants from his safeties. He's versatile, has strong hip mobility and mirroring techniques, and uses his speed to come downhill against the run or underneath routes. He'd be a steal at 15.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S - Toledo
McNeil-Warren is a perfect fit for Dennis Allen's defense. He's a lean, lengthy safety who can be used to disguise coverages. He has a knack for getting his hands on the football and is a solid run defender. He has exceptional speed and is one of the best at doing the "Peanut Punch."
That said, I have reservations about his competition and would prefer they trade back and land him at the end of the first or the beginning of the second.
Cornerback
Brandon Cisse, CB - South Carolina
Corner should be a higher need than many Chicago Bears fans think. There is some solid depth in this draft class, but most of the better prospects will likely be drafted before the Bears pick again at 57. Drafting Brandon Cisse makes sense. He has elite speed and agility. He's a solid run defender and has sticky-man coverage skills.
Colton Hood, CB - Texas
Hood is another corner the Bears could consider. He has good speed and length. His hips are very fluid, allowing him to mirror multiple route concepts. He has a quick backpedal and the ability to change direction quickly. He projects as an outside corner with strong press-man coverage ability.
Avieon Terrell, CB - Clemson
I am higher on Avieon Terrell than most. He is a little undersized compared to what Dennis Allen likes to see in his corners, but he makes up for it with his speed. Terrell is another strong man-coverage defender. He tracks the ball well and reads his opponents well. He has ball-hawking skills, will come downhill and thump a runner, and really seems competitive.
Defensive End
Akheem Mesidor, DE - Miami
Older prospects typically get downgraded by a round within my rankings, but Akheem Mesidor is an outlier. His film is absolutely fantastic and fun to watch. His violent hands and technical pass-rush moves are among the best in this draft class.
Mesidor is the 18th overall prospect on my draft board, but reports from draft insiders have hinted that Mesidor may go lower than they have him ranked. If he falls to 25, I would expect him to be high on Chicago's board. He does have shorter arms, though, which could be a reason Dennis Allen looks in another direction.
TJ Parker, DE - Clemson
If Chicago is looking at a player with high upside, then Parker could be that guy. He's on the younger side and fits the size and skill set Dennis Allen covets. Parker is a solid run defender who sets the edge well and brings great pass-rush skills to the table.
He could likely fall in the draft because he has been inconsistent at getting to the quarterback, and his 2024 film is better than his 2025 film. There aren't any close to perfect edge defenders in this draft class, but if Parker is available at 25, he will be high on Ryan Poles' board. He is 24th overall on my board.
Keldric Faulk, DE - Auburn
If Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears are looking for the closest thing to a prototypical 4-3 end when it comes to size, then Faulk fits that bill. I am lower on him than many, but insiders expect him to go higher than where they have him mocked. Faulk is 23rd on my draft board, but he has the height, weight, and length that Dennis Allen has proven he prefers.
He is already a great run defender at only 20 years old. He has time to learn and refine his skills, and he should probably be higher on my board for upside alone. My biggest concern is that his quickness off the line of scrimmage is inconsistent, and that usually doesn't improve drastically at the NFL level.
Defensive Tackle
I want to point out Dennis Allen's type at the defensive tackle position. He prefers undersized defensive tackles who can disrupt the backfield with their quickness by shooting gaps. He isn't looking for a monster nose tackle who plugs up running lanes. Throughout his career as either a defensive coordinator or head coach, Allen has drafted 10 DTs. Out of those 10, only two were heavier than 305 pounds. One was drafted in the fourth round and the other in the sixth.
This screams that it's unlikely Kayden McDonald is on their board despite a top-30 visit. That visit may have been to gauge whether McDonald can drop 15 pounds and top out around 315. That brings Christen Miller into the conversation despite not being on my list. He's a slightly smaller guy, currently at 320 pounds. I think he could be one to play at a lower weight and could potentially be the 12th guy on this list. However, for now, I will exclude him.
Peter Woods, DT - Clemson
The one guy who I have no doubt fits the mold Allen prefers is Peter Woods. Woods weighed in at just under 300 pounds at the NFL Combine. He is one of the only DTs in this draft class who plays both the run well and can get to the quarterback. Like his Clemson teammate Parker, Woods had a better 2024 season than 2025. This was partly due to a change in defensive coordinators. Woods is 21 years old and has the upside to step in as a rotational DT on Day 1.
Read more: Bears fans would love it if Pro Football Focus's 3-round mock draft were reality
Outside of the names mentioned here, I just don't see any other prospects projected to be available at 25 who make sense. EDGE rushers like David Bailey and Cashius Howell don't fit the scheme or what Allen likes from his ends. Zion Young is a name I keep seeing, but I wouldn't take him at 25. I have a high second-round grade on Young and would only consider him if they trade down -- same for Gabe Jacas and Derrick Moore. Whoever the Bears draft needs to be a high-end contributor in 2026 and beyond.