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The Chicago Bears did not make any splash moves during the opening week of free agency, leaving more questions than answers. Chicago is looking to build off their 2025 season in which they won 11 games, won the NFC North, and made it to the NFC divisional playoff round where they were bounced out by the Los Angeles Rams, bringing an end to the first season under Ben Johnson.
With the first week of free agency in the books, the Bears' fanbase have concerns about what the team is going to do at the left tackle position, as well on the defensive side of the ball, at every level. Chicago has a total of seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two in both the second and seventh rounds, giving general manager Ryan Poles plenty of ammunition to either make a trade or just use the draft to fill out their roster.
Looking past the first week of free agency in which Chicago's biggest move was signing safety Coby Bryant, the draft will offer an opportunity to replace departed veterans like Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, who departed for other teams.
Here's our latest mock draft following the first week of free agency:
After losing both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency, and only signing Coby Bryant, leaves a big hole at safety. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may not fit the biggest focus of adding speed to Chicago's defense, but his ability to make plays on the ball and get matched up with big wide receivers and tight ends could be a great complement next to Bryant in the secondary.
Following the abrupt retirement of veteran Drew Dalman, the Bears front office wasted little in finding his replacement by acquiring veteran Garrett Bradbury in a trade with the New England Patriots. Chicago ignited some fire into the interest for Sam Hecht, one of the top rated centers in this year's draft class, as they were on-hand at the Kansas State Pro Day last week. Hecht would get an opportunity to sit behind Bradbury and get plenty of learning lessons from the coaching staff and veterans on the offensive line.
Chicago did not bring in any big time defensive tackles in the first week of free agency, but they signed two players at the position for depth purposes. The attention they put on defensive tackle could mean the team will target an edge rusher with their second pick in the second round, making Gabe Jacas a great target. He's a pass rusher who can put his hand in the ground or just attack off the edge, and he projects as a bully type of pass rusher who plays with brutal force.
LT Overton's flexibility could be key for a fit inside Dennis Allen's defense, and the lack of attention to edge rusher calls for back-to-back picks for Chicago. There has been a mentioned emphasis on improving the Bears run defense in the 2026 season, and Overton can do just that at the edge position. But he'll take time to develop into a three-down defender who can be on the field at all times.
The good thing for Lander Barton is he'd have some great veterans ahead of him to learn from in Devin Bush and TJ Edwards, but he could be an underrated addition for a linebacker who can excel in pass coverage. Barton's weakness calls for a need to improve as a run stopper, but he's got the speed that this coaching staff is looking for and plays with excellent range.
Chicago has lost two wide receivers and a key player on special teams from the 2025 season, seeing both Devin Duvernay and Olamide Zaccheaus depart in free agency. Enter Zavion Thomas, who may not see any opportunities in the offense at the wide receiver position, but he could excel on special teams behind the newly-signed Kalif Raymond. There's no denying that Raymond will be the team's top return specialist, but Thomas' elite speed could get him a spot in Chicago.
The brother of projected first-round pick, linebacker Sonny Styles, Lorenzo Styles could be a late-round steal for Chicago at the safety position. A former wide-receiver turned to safety, Styles could be best described as a center fielder in the secondary, who also, has great speed that the Bears are looking for. He'll need to improve on limiting big-plays against him, but Styles could break through with an opportunity under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 7-round mock draft after first wave of free agency
Continue reading...
With the first week of free agency in the books, the Bears' fanbase have concerns about what the team is going to do at the left tackle position, as well on the defensive side of the ball, at every level. Chicago has a total of seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two in both the second and seventh rounds, giving general manager Ryan Poles plenty of ammunition to either make a trade or just use the draft to fill out their roster.
Looking past the first week of free agency in which Chicago's biggest move was signing safety Coby Bryant, the draft will offer an opportunity to replace departed veterans like Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, who departed for other teams.
Here's our latest mock draft following the first week of free agency:
Round 1, Pick 25: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
After losing both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency, and only signing Coby Bryant, leaves a big hole at safety. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may not fit the biggest focus of adding speed to Chicago's defense, but his ability to make plays on the ball and get matched up with big wide receivers and tight ends could be a great complement next to Bryant in the secondary.
Round 2, Pick 57: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas St.
Following the abrupt retirement of veteran Drew Dalman, the Bears front office wasted little in finding his replacement by acquiring veteran Garrett Bradbury in a trade with the New England Patriots. Chicago ignited some fire into the interest for Sam Hecht, one of the top rated centers in this year's draft class, as they were on-hand at the Kansas State Pro Day last week. Hecht would get an opportunity to sit behind Bradbury and get plenty of learning lessons from the coaching staff and veterans on the offensive line.
Round 2, Pick 60 (via BUF): Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
Chicago did not bring in any big time defensive tackles in the first week of free agency, but they signed two players at the position for depth purposes. The attention they put on defensive tackle could mean the team will target an edge rusher with their second pick in the second round, making Gabe Jacas a great target. He's a pass rusher who can put his hand in the ground or just attack off the edge, and he projects as a bully type of pass rusher who plays with brutal force.
Round 3, Pick 89: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
LT Overton's flexibility could be key for a fit inside Dennis Allen's defense, and the lack of attention to edge rusher calls for back-to-back picks for Chicago. There has been a mentioned emphasis on improving the Bears run defense in the 2026 season, and Overton can do just that at the edge position. But he'll take time to develop into a three-down defender who can be on the field at all times.
Round 4, Pick 129 (via LAR): Lander Barton, LB, Utah
The good thing for Lander Barton is he'd have some great veterans ahead of him to learn from in Devin Bush and TJ Edwards, but he could be an underrated addition for a linebacker who can excel in pass coverage. Barton's weakness calls for a need to improve as a run stopper, but he's got the speed that this coaching staff is looking for and plays with excellent range.
Round 7, Pick 238 (via PHI): Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
Chicago has lost two wide receivers and a key player on special teams from the 2025 season, seeing both Devin Duvernay and Olamide Zaccheaus depart in free agency. Enter Zavion Thomas, who may not see any opportunities in the offense at the wide receiver position, but he could excel on special teams behind the newly-signed Kalif Raymond. There's no denying that Raymond will be the team's top return specialist, but Thomas' elite speed could get him a spot in Chicago.
Round 7, Pick 240: Lorenzo Styles Jr., S, Ohio St.
The brother of projected first-round pick, linebacker Sonny Styles, Lorenzo Styles could be a late-round steal for Chicago at the safety position. A former wide-receiver turned to safety, Styles could be best described as a center fielder in the secondary, who also, has great speed that the Bears are looking for. He'll need to improve on limiting big-plays against him, but Styles could break through with an opportunity under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 7-round mock draft after first wave of free agency
Continue reading...
