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The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. Prospects from around the country took their tests, measurements, and workouts in front of scouts from the league’s 32 teams. This is the part of the year when everyone is looking for the right players to add to their organizations.
For the Chicago Bears, they have deep needs along the defensive line, safety, left tackle and linebacker, but all of the top players in the draft are going to be in consideration. They mostly need help with defense, but you know head coach Ben Johnson could push for more help on offense. It’s simply in his DNA.
With the combine in the books, there are plenty of players to recap from a Bears lens. Here are five combine standouts who could be potential options for Ryan Poles based on need.
The Bears need all the help they can get on the defensive line. Specifically, they need help with pass rush. Creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks is something they must improve on in 2026, if they want to take a step forward as a contender. Penn State EDGE rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton had one of the quickest three-cone drills in the history of the event and had top-three finishes in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and vertical jump. If he’s available on Day 2 when Chicago comes up to pick, they may want to consider him. Dennis-Sutton is athletic and has proof of being a good football player at a premier position of need.
Like Dennis-Sutton, Malachi Lawrence had an incredible combine in terms of proving his athleticism. His numbers for a player of his pass-rushing caliber rank among the likes of TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, and Montez Sweat. If the Bears wanted to put Lawrence on the same defensive line as a guy like Sweat, he would be there to consider on Day 2. If athleticism is a key factor in what the Bears want out of their edge rushers, which it should be, Lawrence is a great option.
The Bears have four of their five starting spots set along the offensive line, but it never hurts to draft for depth and the future. You’re not going to find a more athletic one than Jager Burton, who was the first lineman at the combine to run a 40-yard dash under 5.0 seconds. Having a guy who can move quickly at this position is always a plus for an offensive line. The Bears don’t have the same need on the interior that they do at left tackle, but their current line is in place and can help develop a newly drafted player. There is no harm in taking him later in the draft based on his combine results, with the idea that he can help them in the future or if there is an injury.
Markel Bell is someone who may be able to play left tackle in the NFL, and his combine showed off his speed as well. His 5.36-second 40 wasn't quite as fast as Burton's, but he is 6’9” and 346 lbs at a position of need for the Bears. Bell just played in the National Title Game with Miami this past January, so big game experience in addition to a great performance at the combine makes him an enticing player heading into the draft.
Are the Bears going to consider drafting a wider receiver in one of the later rounds? If they trade DJ Moore for help elsewhere, they just might. You know Ben Johnson is always going to be thinking about his offensive unit. Bryce Lance, the younger brother of Trey Lance, ran a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash. The Bears could be looking for this kind of speed to play on their offense if they come into the draft with a hole at the position. Lance had a decent year at North Dakota State, and now his combine performance could be what makes an NFL team consider him.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL combine: Biggest standouts for Chicago Bears to consider
Continue reading...
For the Chicago Bears, they have deep needs along the defensive line, safety, left tackle and linebacker, but all of the top players in the draft are going to be in consideration. They mostly need help with defense, but you know head coach Ben Johnson could push for more help on offense. It’s simply in his DNA.
With the combine in the books, there are plenty of players to recap from a Bears lens. Here are five combine standouts who could be potential options for Ryan Poles based on need.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
The Bears need all the help they can get on the defensive line. Specifically, they need help with pass rush. Creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks is something they must improve on in 2026, if they want to take a step forward as a contender. Penn State EDGE rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton had one of the quickest three-cone drills in the history of the event and had top-three finishes in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and vertical jump. If he’s available on Day 2 when Chicago comes up to pick, they may want to consider him. Dennis-Sutton is athletic and has proof of being a good football player at a premier position of need.
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
Like Dennis-Sutton, Malachi Lawrence had an incredible combine in terms of proving his athleticism. His numbers for a player of his pass-rushing caliber rank among the likes of TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, and Montez Sweat. If the Bears wanted to put Lawrence on the same defensive line as a guy like Sweat, he would be there to consider on Day 2. If athleticism is a key factor in what the Bears want out of their edge rushers, which it should be, Lawrence is a great option.
Jager Burton, C, Kentucky
The Bears have four of their five starting spots set along the offensive line, but it never hurts to draft for depth and the future. You’re not going to find a more athletic one than Jager Burton, who was the first lineman at the combine to run a 40-yard dash under 5.0 seconds. Having a guy who can move quickly at this position is always a plus for an offensive line. The Bears don’t have the same need on the interior that they do at left tackle, but their current line is in place and can help develop a newly drafted player. There is no harm in taking him later in the draft based on his combine results, with the idea that he can help them in the future or if there is an injury.
Markel Bell, OT, Miami
Markel Bell is someone who may be able to play left tackle in the NFL, and his combine showed off his speed as well. His 5.36-second 40 wasn't quite as fast as Burton's, but he is 6’9” and 346 lbs at a position of need for the Bears. Bell just played in the National Title Game with Miami this past January, so big game experience in addition to a great performance at the combine makes him an enticing player heading into the draft.
Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
Are the Bears going to consider drafting a wider receiver in one of the later rounds? If they trade DJ Moore for help elsewhere, they just might. You know Ben Johnson is always going to be thinking about his offensive unit. Bryce Lance, the younger brother of Trey Lance, ran a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash. The Bears could be looking for this kind of speed to play on their offense if they come into the draft with a hole at the position. Lance had a decent year at North Dakota State, and now his combine performance could be what makes an NFL team consider him.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL combine: Biggest standouts for Chicago Bears to consider
Continue reading...
