Another day, another NFL analyst suggesting that the Chicago Bears should swing a trade during the 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Ben Solak explores ways for each of the NFL’s 32 teams to score the highest possible grade when the dust settles on NFL Draft weekend. And when it comes to the Bears, Solak identifies their path to nailing a second straight draft during the Ben Johnson being one that includes taking a big swing with a trade. Solak proposes trading up if an edge rusher unexpectedly falls down draft boards. But he also advocates for showing patience and trading back if the price is right. Ultimately, the ESPN writer recommends that Chicago’s front office swing for the fences. In theory, I’m right there with him.
© Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesWe’ll dive into some of the defensive line options who would represent a “swing for the fences” type of addition after the jump. But first, my mind keeps circling back to Solak offering up the possibility of the Bears using a premium pick on a player who isn’t a defensive lineman. It’s not as if Chicago doesn’t have a laundry list of needs. But with that being said, some make more sense to be addressed with an early pick than others.
For what it’s worth, Chicago’s could use a starting safety to pair with free agent addition Coby Bryant and a starting-caliber cornerback who can start opposite of Jaylon Johnson (or, at a minimum, push Tyrique Stevenson as he enters the final year of his rookie deal). On the other side of the ball, adding a wide receiver or left tackle shouldn’t be dismissed. And while I don’t think the running back position is one the team will address on the first night of the NFL Draft, it is a position Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson values enough to make us believe that there is a non-zero chance he has his eyes on someone as a prospect fit.
The Bears can “ace” the 2026 NFL Draft with the right pick
The more I read about the 2026 NFL Draft class of defensive linemen, the more I understand why there isn’t a strong feeling for which players will go where in the first two rounds. This isn’t to say that there aren’t quality players to be plucked and added to this Bears roster. However, every highly-thought-of prospect comes with some yellow flags that cannot be ignored — particularly along the defensive line.
For instance, Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks has medical issues that could be a hang-up. Miami’s Akheem Mesidor’s dominant final season in college is often framed as one that came because he was a 25-year-old playing against far younger talent. Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell’s measurables don’t measure up to what teams would traditionally want for a player coming off the edge. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald has limitations as a pass-rusher, and using a first-round pick on a two-down player might be too rich for this front office’s tastes.
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To be clear, these are good prospects. And I wouldn’t necessarily be upset if any of these players go to the Bears with their first-round pick. But I wouldn’t be super geeked-up about any of these selections. Then again, if any of the aforementioned prospects were more polished or more well-rounded, they wouldn’t be falling to a place where Chicago’s football team is set to pick in the bottom third of Round 1.
In the end, the best way for the Bears to nail a second consecutive draft is by following the formula that made last year’s class successful. Drafting the best player available is cliché, but clichés become just that because they contain a morsel of truth. For Chicago, its 2025 NFL Draft haul was loaded with players who checked the “best available” box and the team needs one, too. There are going to be times on NFL Draft weekend when the best available player also happens to be one who plays a position that needs to be filled. Hopefully, this front office finds a bunch of those with the picks at their disposal.
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