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The Chicago Bears have been busy in free agency shoring up some key needs on the roster, adding some new faces and bringing back some familiar ones. So how has that impacted Chicago's plans for the 2026 NFL Draft?
There are some obvious needs following the first wave of free agency, including defensive tackle, edge rusher and safety. The Bears didn't really make a splash in the defensive trenches, adding a couple of depth options in Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street and not really addressing the edge. Meanwhile, Chicago signed Super Bowl-winning safety Coby Bryant, but both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker signed with other teams, which leaves a starting safety job to fill in the draft.
We've rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts agree that the Bears will target this one important need in the defensive trenches, and there's one name that's emerging among the rest.
Michael MIddlehurst-Schwartz: "They didn't land Crosby as some speculated they might, but the Bears still have a chance to ramp up the disruptiveness of their front four. Woods' high-end flashes separate him from all other interior defenders other than Banks, though his inconsistency could cost him a spot on Day 1."
Nick Baumgardner: "The Bears have been very active on both sides of the ball in free agency so far, but both edge and DT could still be a first-round option for a new-look Chicago defense that’ll have new faces (LB Devin Bush, S Coby Bryant) up the middle."
Garrett Podell: "Monroe Freeling could be Caleb Williams' new left tackle after being Georgia's full-time left tackle in 2025. The size and agility are there, and he's quick off the line of scrimmage, as evidenced by an excellent combine effort. Freeling needs to work on better connecting on his punches toward opposing defensive linemen, which could be aided by a more balanced foundation, but he's ready to roll in the run game. Ben Johnson will love that about him."
Bucky Brooks: "Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wants to create organized chaos at the line of scrimmage to disrupt the opponent’s offensive rhythm. Woods is a talented interior defender with the quickness, agility, and active hands to expand the defensive wizard’s playbook."
Max Chadwick: "No Bears defensive tackle earned a 60.0 PFF overall grade this season. Banks played in only three games in 2025 at Florida due to a foot injury, but his 12% pressure rate since 2023 still ranked sixth among Power Four interior defenders over that stretch. He also has the second-largest wingspan ever recorded for a defensive tackle (85 3/4 inches)."
Luke Easterling: "The offense is promising with Ben Johnson and Caleb Johnson at the helm, but if the Bears want to go deeper in the playoffs, they need more difference-makers on defense. That need is greatest in the trenches, where Chicago lacks a true impact player along the interior. Woods could change all that, with a rare combination of size and athleticism that gives him a ton of potential if he can be used the right way."
Keith Sanchez: "The Chicago Bears need an upgrade at the IDL position to help improve this run defense. Insert Peter Woods. Now, the Bears have a young, active DL to help stop the run, but he can also provide QB pressure."
Austin Swaim: "The position the Chicago Bears should target with this No. 25 pick is obvious. They didn’t have a defensive tackle rank in the top 55 of PFSN’s DTi last year, and that translated to allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per attempt (4.9) in the league. Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter didn’t have a great combine, but popping on his tape against Oregon in the Orange Bowl showcases the game-wrecking ability he can provide from the middle. He also had quite a week of practices in Mobile at the Senior Bowl."
Mark Morales-Smith: "Chicago's biggest area of need is the interior of their defense, and they address it here."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears address key need after free agency
Continue reading...
There are some obvious needs following the first wave of free agency, including defensive tackle, edge rusher and safety. The Bears didn't really make a splash in the defensive trenches, adding a couple of depth options in Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street and not really addressing the edge. Meanwhile, Chicago signed Super Bowl-winning safety Coby Bryant, but both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker signed with other teams, which leaves a starting safety job to fill in the draft.
We've rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts agree that the Bears will target this one important need in the defensive trenches, and there's one name that's emerging among the rest.
ESPN: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Michael MIddlehurst-Schwartz: "They didn't land Crosby as some speculated they might, but the Bears still have a chance to ramp up the disruptiveness of their front four. Woods' high-end flashes separate him from all other interior defenders other than Banks, though his inconsistency could cost him a spot on Day 1."
The Athletic: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Nick Baumgardner: "The Bears have been very active on both sides of the ball in free agency so far, but both edge and DT could still be a first-round option for a new-look Chicago defense that’ll have new faces (LB Devin Bush, S Coby Bryant) up the middle."
CBS Sports: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Garrett Podell: "Monroe Freeling could be Caleb Williams' new left tackle after being Georgia's full-time left tackle in 2025. The size and agility are there, and he's quick off the line of scrimmage, as evidenced by an excellent combine effort. Freeling needs to work on better connecting on his punches toward opposing defensive linemen, which could be aided by a more balanced foundation, but he's ready to roll in the run game. Ben Johnson will love that about him."
FOX Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Bucky Brooks: "Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wants to create organized chaos at the line of scrimmage to disrupt the opponent’s offensive rhythm. Woods is a talented interior defender with the quickness, agility, and active hands to expand the defensive wizard’s playbook."
Pro Football Focus: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Max Chadwick: "No Bears defensive tackle earned a 60.0 PFF overall grade this season. Banks played in only three games in 2025 at Florida due to a foot injury, but his 12% pressure rate since 2023 still ranked sixth among Power Four interior defenders over that stretch. He also has the second-largest wingspan ever recorded for a defensive tackle (85 3/4 inches)."
Athlon Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Luke Easterling: "The offense is promising with Ben Johnson and Caleb Johnson at the helm, but if the Bears want to go deeper in the playoffs, they need more difference-makers on defense. That need is greatest in the trenches, where Chicago lacks a true impact player along the interior. Woods could change all that, with a rare combination of size and athleticism that gives him a ton of potential if he can be used the right way."
Draft Network: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Keith Sanchez: "The Chicago Bears need an upgrade at the IDL position to help improve this run defense. Insert Peter Woods. Now, the Bears have a young, active DL to help stop the run, but he can also provide QB pressure."
Pro Football Sports Network: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Austin Swaim: "The position the Chicago Bears should target with this No. 25 pick is obvious. They didn’t have a defensive tackle rank in the top 55 of PFSN’s DTi last year, and that translated to allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per attempt (4.9) in the league. Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter didn’t have a great combine, but popping on his tape against Oregon in the Orange Bowl showcases the game-wrecking ability he can provide from the middle. He also had quite a week of practices in Mobile at the Senior Bowl."
Sports Illustrated: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Mark Morales-Smith: "Chicago's biggest area of need is the interior of their defense, and they address it here."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears address key need after free agency
Continue reading...
