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The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they'll look to shore up the roster at key positions of need with the hope of landing a draft class as impactful as last year's.
The Bears have a slew of needs to address, mostly on defense, with defensive line, safety and left tackle being the biggest. But general manager Ryan Poles has always taken a best-available approach in the draft, and that certainly worked to his favor last year with tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III, who are fresh off impressive rookie seasons and enter their second season as core playmakers on offense. Can Chicago find that kind of magic again?
In a new four-round mock draft from Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling, the Bears shore up their key needs on defense while landing another playmaker on offense. Here's a look at those selections:
The Bears have a starting safety job to fill following the offseason departures of All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago did make a big move to land Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant in free agency, but there's still a starting job to fill, and it's most likely going to be filled in the NFL draft. There's a high chance that the Bears address safety in the first round, but at the very least on Day 2. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would be the perfect fit in Dennis Allen's defense with his playmaking ability and physicality.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "Thanks to his footwork and hips, McNeil-Warren is a fluid mover with functional range and improved instincts versus the pass, which allows him to mirror and match tight ends and running backs. He drives on the football in run support and took a master’s class on the “Peanut Punch.” You’d wish there was more meat on his bones and will want to see him continue to improve his take-on and tackle-finishing skills."
The Bears will address the pass rush at some point in this draft, and while they've been linked to first-round projection Zion Young, this is a deep group that GM Ryan Poles has discussed at length. Chicago needs to do a better job getting after the quarterback after just 35 sacks last season. Montez Sweat had a bounce-back year with 10 sacks, but the Bears need a true complement opposite him. Gabe Jacas possesses the speed and violence that Dennis Allen has preached in his defense, and he would be a solid fit opposite Sweat.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "With his rocked-up, athletic build, Jacas is a quick and violent pass rusher who doesn’t need a long runway. He credits his wrestling background for his handwork and maneuvering skills (also worked closely with pass-rush specialist Joe Kim, whom Illinois hired from the New England Patriots in 2025). As a run defender, he uses his heavy hands to strike blockers but gets tangled versus length and must improve his awareness against seal down blocks."
There are bigger needs for the Bears than using a premium second-round pick on a wide receiver, especially with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III on the roster. But this could be an example of taking the best available player on the board and adding even more talent for quarterback Caleb Williams. Zachariah Branch possesses impressive speed that would make him a threat, alongside Burden, on offense. But Branch also brings return value, which could prove beneficial if Kalif Raymond isn't in Chicago beyond 2026.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "With his speed gifts, Branch has the talent for a role beyond what Georgia asked of him — but how much more? He ran a screen on 25.4 percent of his routes (No. 1 in the FBS; one of just three FBS receivers above 18 percent), and his average depth of target over his career was a paltry 5.2 yards. The manufactured touches allowed him to show his catch-and-burst ability (78 percent of his career receiving yards came after the catch), but he is a smaller target and most of the branches on his route tree lack polish."
The Bears have made several moves at defensive tackle during free agency, but it's been mostly for depth purposes. While many believe Chicago could use their first-round pick on a defensive tackle, they opt to select a project in Zane Durant, who's undersized but has shown impressive flashes along the interior during his time with Penn State.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "Durant is undersized for the trenches, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. He uses natural leverage and lower-body strength to anchor or play underneath blocks. He is quick off the ball but can get pinballed and becomes a nonfactor. He needs to develop more ways to get around blocks when he doesn’t win quickly, but his pursuit effort and competitive toughness are translatable qualities."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears overhaul defense in new 4-round NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
The Bears have a slew of needs to address, mostly on defense, with defensive line, safety and left tackle being the biggest. But general manager Ryan Poles has always taken a best-available approach in the draft, and that certainly worked to his favor last year with tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III, who are fresh off impressive rookie seasons and enter their second season as core playmakers on offense. Can Chicago find that kind of magic again?
In a new four-round mock draft from Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling, the Bears shore up their key needs on defense while landing another playmaker on offense. Here's a look at those selections:
Round 1, Pick 25: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Bears have a starting safety job to fill following the offseason departures of All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago did make a big move to land Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant in free agency, but there's still a starting job to fill, and it's most likely going to be filled in the NFL draft. There's a high chance that the Bears address safety in the first round, but at the very least on Day 2. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would be the perfect fit in Dennis Allen's defense with his playmaking ability and physicality.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "Thanks to his footwork and hips, McNeil-Warren is a fluid mover with functional range and improved instincts versus the pass, which allows him to mirror and match tight ends and running backs. He drives on the football in run support and took a master’s class on the “Peanut Punch.” You’d wish there was more meat on his bones and will want to see him continue to improve his take-on and tackle-finishing skills."
Round 2, Pick 57: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois
The Bears will address the pass rush at some point in this draft, and while they've been linked to first-round projection Zion Young, this is a deep group that GM Ryan Poles has discussed at length. Chicago needs to do a better job getting after the quarterback after just 35 sacks last season. Montez Sweat had a bounce-back year with 10 sacks, but the Bears need a true complement opposite him. Gabe Jacas possesses the speed and violence that Dennis Allen has preached in his defense, and he would be a solid fit opposite Sweat.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "With his rocked-up, athletic build, Jacas is a quick and violent pass rusher who doesn’t need a long runway. He credits his wrestling background for his handwork and maneuvering skills (also worked closely with pass-rush specialist Joe Kim, whom Illinois hired from the New England Patriots in 2025). As a run defender, he uses his heavy hands to strike blockers but gets tangled versus length and must improve his awareness against seal down blocks."
Round 2, Pick 60 (from BUF): Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
There are bigger needs for the Bears than using a premium second-round pick on a wide receiver, especially with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III on the roster. But this could be an example of taking the best available player on the board and adding even more talent for quarterback Caleb Williams. Zachariah Branch possesses impressive speed that would make him a threat, alongside Burden, on offense. But Branch also brings return value, which could prove beneficial if Kalif Raymond isn't in Chicago beyond 2026.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "With his speed gifts, Branch has the talent for a role beyond what Georgia asked of him — but how much more? He ran a screen on 25.4 percent of his routes (No. 1 in the FBS; one of just three FBS receivers above 18 percent), and his average depth of target over his career was a paltry 5.2 yards. The manufactured touches allowed him to show his catch-and-burst ability (78 percent of his career receiving yards came after the catch), but he is a smaller target and most of the branches on his route tree lack polish."
Round 3, Pick 89: Zane Durant, DL, Penn State
The Bears have made several moves at defensive tackle during free agency, but it's been mostly for depth purposes. While many believe Chicago could use their first-round pick on a defensive tackle, they opt to select a project in Zane Durant, who's undersized but has shown impressive flashes along the interior during his time with Penn State.
Dane Brugler's scouting report: "Durant is undersized for the trenches, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. He uses natural leverage and lower-body strength to anchor or play underneath blocks. He is quick off the ball but can get pinballed and becomes a nonfactor. He needs to develop more ways to get around blocks when he doesn’t win quickly, but his pursuit effort and competitive toughness are translatable qualities."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears overhaul defense in new 4-round NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
