With the first wave of free agency in the books, it’s time to revisit our Chicago Bears mock draft.
There’s more clarity now, not because the Bears filled every hole (they didn’t), but because General Manager Ryan Poles and his front office made enough targeted moves to better define what still needs to be addressed when they’re on the clock next month.
It wasn’t a splash-heavy free agency period, but it was an intentional one. The additions of safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush headline the group. Bryant replaces Kevin Byard III, while Bush takes the place of Tremaine Edmunds. Both bring some much-needed speed to a defense that lacked it at times last season. Both moves also bring more range and takeaway potential, along with the size and athletic profile that fit what Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen wants on that side of the ball.
Around those headline additions, Chicago filled in depth across the roster. Cornerback Cam Lewis, defensive linemen Kentavius Street and Neville Gallimore, and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. were brought in to stabilize key areas in the trenches, while Kalif Raymond adds a dynamic element as both a return specialist and depth receiver.
Taken together, the Bears didn’t overhaul the roster — but they did clarify it.
And that makes the draft even more important.
Chicago has clearly shifted into the next phase of its roster build. The heavy spending period is behind them. The core is in place. The focus now is on sustaining success, not just chasing it. That means the draft becomes the primary avenue for adding impact players on cost-controlled deals — the exact formula winning teams rely on to stay competitive year after year.
The Bears found four starters in last year’s class. If they want to keep this window open, they’ll need to do it again.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinChicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 3.0
(*) Denotes pick received via mock trade scenario.
Round 2, Pick 35(*): Christen Miller | DI | Georgia
The first two versions of this year’s Chicago Bears mock draft were without trades, by design. With some more clarity on both the Bears’ needs and the draft class movement, we have our first. Here’s the caveat: If one of Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is available here (I don’t think they will be), I would select them and then figure out the rest. Because I don’t foresee that happening, I have Chicago trading back with the Tennessee Titans.
Chicago receives No. 35, No. 101, and a 2027 third-rounder in exchange for No. 25 from the Titans, who look to continue to accelerate their rebuild after spending big in free agency.
I had Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods here in the previous iteration of this exercise, but I think that outside of a player like EMW or Dillon Thieneman—both of whom I would consider steals here—Chicago can find similar value at other spots in the second round, hence today’s trade-back scenario, where I have the Bears selecting Georgia’s Christen Miller.
Miller is an even-front nose tackle who can rattle pads and gain early advantages at the point of attack. He has good stack-and-shed against single blocks but lacks the prototypical mass of a space-eater. He will lose his anchor to double teams and strong-angle blocks at times. He’s average at matching lateral movement off the snap but is generally aware of play design and hustles across gaps to squeeze run lanes. He’ll continue to bulk up and should become a good starter who is more consistent than dominant along the interior.
Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesRound 2, Pick 57 (via BUF): Jake Slaughter | C | Florida
As I wrote earlier this week, Garrett Bradbury is a good acquisition who fits the Bears’ timeline. But that shouldn’t stop the Bears from trying to find their long-term fix at center in the draft. If Chicago lands a center of Slaughter’s caliber, they can keep Bradbury as reliable depth or create roughly $6 million in cap space by parting ways.
A steady, battle-tested center with strong intangibles, Slaughter projects as a reliable option in the middle with the potential to grow into a functional starter early in his career. A two-time captain with 30+ starts in the SEC, he brings a “do your job” mentality backed by solid technique, awareness, and play strength.
“I think he is the best pure Center in this draft class”Florida’s Jake Slaughter would be a home run selection for any NFL franchise? pic.twitter.com/BOHxPwdcr1
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 8, 2026He won’t overwhelm defenders with power, but he consistently finds angles in the run game, works to seal lanes, and shows enough mobility to execute climbs and screens. In pass protection, he’s composed and technically sound, with the ability to anchor, reset, and “lose slowly” against stronger interior rushers while keeping the pocket intact.
Nice battle between two Florida guys. Jake Slaughter vs Caleb Banks pic.twitter.com/TpPYYeNtBB
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 28, 2026Round 2, Pick 60: Derrick Moore | ED | Michigan
Chicago (wisely) sat out of the edge market in free agency, which I feel will come with considerable regret for a few teams in the near future. With some extra picks on day two, the Bears get a pass rusher who can contribute immediately when it comes to getting after the quarterback in Michigan’s Derrick Moore.
Moore is a long, powerful edge rusher who wins with urgency off the ball and the ability to convert speed to power quickly. He consistently generates pressure with a heavy-handed bull rush and has the length to challenge tackles, especially when he’s able to build momentum early in the rep. He shows discipline as an edge-setter and can hold his ground, but his impact against the run can be inconsistent due to a lack of playmaking urgency.
As a finisher, he’s reliable and under control, turning pressure into production. If he brings a more consistent motor on early downs, there’s starting upside here as a three-down player; at minimum, he projects as a productive pass rusher who can collapse the pocket and affect quarterbacks regularly.
Michigan OLB Derrick Moore Speed to power reps. pic.twitter.com/Z5E6gS4Y8I
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 18, 2026Round 3, Pick 89: Zakee Wheatley | S | Penn State
In my original Bears mock this spring, I had Zakee Wheatley here, and he’s back with some other spots addressed in front of this pick.
At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, Wheatley brings prototypical NFL size with the length to match up against tight ends and larger receivers. He was a steady, assignment-sound presence for Penn State, posting an 83.5 coverage grade and an 82.7 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025. His film reflects those numbers: Wheatley shows strong route anticipation, stays disciplined in zone, and has the range to track the football downfield when asked to play over the top.
His blend of size, instincts, coverage awareness, and discipline aligns well with what the Bears value on the back end. In Round 3, landing a high-snap, low-mistake defender with proven production and NFL-ready traits would help stabilize a secondary facing real transition.
Zakee Wheatley (6’3 200) Penn State+ Good size and length+ Route anticipation+ 82.7 run defense grade in 2025+ Zero career penalties+ Over 2,100 career snaps+ Highly productive the last two seasons with 170 tackles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble+ Ball… pic.twitter.com/IxlER4SAQQ
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 25, 2026Round 4, Pick 101 (via TEN)(*): Markell Bell | OT | Miami
I think one of the biggest things being missed this offseason is that not only will Ozzy Trapilo not be back until late 2026, but he may also never be the same player again after his recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon. Chicago should keep taking swings at the left tackle position.
A massive, long-limbed tackle with surprising movement skills for his size, Bell projects as a developmental lineman with intriguing upside. At 6-foot-9, he naturally engulfs defenders in pass protection, using his length to stay in phase and disrupt counter moves when his hands are timed right.
He moves well for a player his size, showing enough foot quickness to redirect and stay attached, while also bringing his feet in the run game to generate movement on down blocks and doubles. His upright play style and average overall athletic ceiling can create leverage issues, but his steady technical growth and physical tools point to a high-quality swing tackle with the potential to develop into a starter over time.
National Championship participant, Markel Bell had some reps on Day 3 worth mentioning.Day 1 wasn't the 6'8 3/4", 358 lbs Tackle's best day. But day 2 was good, but these plays on day 3 shows his ridiculous traits! He's obviously long, he's powerful and didn't lose the corner! pic.twitter.com/8sTnP5QdYY
— IanM (@IannmNFL) January 30, 2026Round 4, Pick 129: Emmett Johnson | RB | Nebraska
D’Andre Swift is a free agent after the 2026 season, and Ben Johnson loves multiple backs in his offense. Johnson adds a pass-catching element to the backfield immediately and could replace Swift in a two-back setup eventually.
An explosive, shifty runner with real value in the passing game, Johnson brings dynamic lateral quickness and the footwork to make defenders miss in tight spaces. He’s at his best when pressing the line and setting up blocks, using sharp cuts and body control to create yards on his own, even if his feet can get a bit too active at times.
Where he really separates himself is as a receiver. He’s one of the top pass-catching backs in the class, with the ability to impact the game on all three downs. His production backs it up, becoming the first Big Ten back since Saquon Barkley to top 1,400 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards in a season.
Round 7, Pick 239 (via PHI/CLE): Riley Nowakowski | TE | Indiana
Chicago needs to replace Durham Smythe in the offense, and Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski is the “lunch-pail” type of blocker who can do just that.
Nowakowski’s focus on the task never wavers. He’s reliable and tough at the point of attack and holds up well in pass protection. He lacks height/length but is well-built and plays with better technique, strain, and finish than many offensive linemen in this class. He became a productive pass-catcher in 2025, but he could struggle to separate or win the seam against NFL man coverage. By all accounts, his character and work ethic are outstanding, and he should help elevate run-game execution wherever an offense lines him up.
"Riley Nowakowski is a great football player..He's the college version of Kyle Juszczyk and he does everything for our team" ~ @qb_fernando #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/QVUdgl0yVa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 5, 2026Round 7, Pick 241: Lewis Bond | WR | Boston College
A productive, high-IQ slot receiver, Bond projects as a reliable chain-mover with the skill set to become a quarterback’s security blanket at the next level. Built with a compact, sturdy frame, he thrives working the short and intermediate areas, showing a fearless approach over the middle and a natural feel for finding space against zone coverage.
He processes defenses well, adjusts routes on the fly, and consistently gets open on timing-based concepts like option routes, mesh, and quick-game staples. After the catch, he transitions quickly into a runner, showing balance and toughness to pick up extra yards. He may not be a true vertical threat, but his route feel, toughness, and production point to a dependable slot option who can keep an offense on schedule.
Boston College WR Lewis Bond continues to be one of the best performers at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/ELuYPu4Epb
— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) January 30, 2026Hence then, the article about chicago bears 7 round mock draft 3 0 was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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