NFL Experts Mock Draft Roundup — What They’re Saying About the Bears ...Middle East

The 2026 NFL Draft is 10 weeks away. But with the Super Bowl behind us, we can start digging into what the league’s analysts, insiders, and pundits are saying the Chicago Bears will do when they go on the clock with their picks on NFL Draft Weekend.

As a refresher, these are the picks the Bears are projected to have in the upcoming NFL Draft (via Talkathon):

Pick numbers for the Bears (and the NFL’s other 31 teams) will not be finalized until later in the offseason after the league issues compensatory draft picks for free agent departures and hires connected to the Rooney Rule. Unfortunately, as things stand right now, Chicago’s football team is not slated to get draft pick compensation for losing former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham to a promotion with the Atlanta Falcons. You can read the NFL’s explanation as to why that is the case here. We’ll see if that changes when the NFL Draft order is officially set.

2026 NFL Draft: What Pundits Think the Bears Will Do With Their Picks

With the 2026 NFL Draft still 10 weeks away, this feels like a good time to take an early look at what insiders, experts, and pundits think the Bears will do with their selections. However, it should be underscored that this is a preliminary glance ahead. There is so much that will happen in the 70 days between now and when the NFL Draft opens its doors that will ultimately shake up what front offices do with the picks at their disposal. Nevertheless, it is never a bad time to take a peek at what could be on the horizon.

FIELD YATES, ESPN

ESPN’s Field Yates dropped off his first batch of first-round 2026 NFL Draft predictions. Given Yates’ history with Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, I like to take a closer look at his picks. As you might expect, Field sends the Bears some pass-rush help with the No. 25 selection as his mock draft has Missouri edge defender Zion Young heading to Chicago. The explanation is sound:

Pass rush is an obvious need after the Bears posted the NFL’s second-worst pass rush win rate in 2025. Young would help improve the unit in a hurry with his power and heavy hands off the edge. He also brings versatility, having played some at defensive tackle during his first two collegiate seasons at Michigan State. Young’s upper-body power and 33.5-inch arms allow him to power through the anchor of opposing tackles. That was on full display during a rock-solid Senior Bowl week. I could see him pairing with Montez Sweat really well.

This feels like an opportune time to re-share the seven-round mock draft from BN teammate Patrick Flowers, who also sends Zion Young to the Bears. Also adding young to Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen’s group is ESPN’s Matt Miller. All things considered, I have a feeling that Young will be sent to Chicago in a bunch of mock drafts that will pop up in the days and weeks ahead.

This team needs pass-rush help. And while I like the starting tandem of Montez Sweat and Austin Booker, the group of edge defenders behind them on the depth chart leave a lot to be desired. Plus, there is no such thing as having too many pass-rushing options. So even though there might be starters ahead of Young on the depth chart, I’d be on board with him being Chicago’s first pick on 2026 NFL Draft weekend.

MAX CHADWICK, PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS

Even though edge defender appears to be an obvious need, I feel as if interior defensive line is a more glaring one. Starter’s Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. graded out poorly according to PFF’s metrics. Jarrett checked in at 73rd among 127 qualifying interior defensive linemen. Meanwhile, Dexter was 77th. Rotational run-stuffer Andrew Billings came in at 121st. Chris Williams, another rotational piece, earned the highest ranking at 63rd. This is a long way of saying that the Bears should have a major desire to upgrade on the interior defensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Good thing PFF has just what the Bears need with Chadwick sending Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald to Chicago with pick No. 25. McDonald led FBS interior defensive linemen with a 91.2 run-defense grade, while his 86.5 overall grade was the best among Power Four interior defenders. The Ohio State finished with 31 solo tackles (65 total), three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

PFF credits McDonald with 26 stops, which ranked as the 28th-most last season. However, he did not register any quarterback hits or batted passes. And he was down for only eight hurries. McDonald is an intriguing NFL Draft prospect, but I wish he had more production in the pass-rush department. Perhaps that is something that can be coached out of him at the next level.

CHAD REUTER, NFL MEDIA

We can wrap this puppy up with a three-round mock draft from Chad Reuter. The Bears have just three picks in the first three rounds in the upcoming NFL Draft, but you never know when a team could create some extra draft capital with a trade back. We saw Bears GM Ryan Poles swing some deals on Day 2 last year. I wouldn’t mind seeing that again. In the meantime, we can discuss the three players Reuter has going to Chicago in his three-round mock draft:

Chad Reuter using the Bears’ first three picks in the 2026 NFL Draft to address three obvious needs is a perfect way to wrap up a mid-February mock draft post. The way I see it, looking at mock drafts this time of year is less about the players being picked and is more about what position groups are expected to be prioritized on draft weekend. The closer we get to the draft, the better of a feel we will have on things. But for now, it is painfully obvious to all that giving a boost to the defensive line is the top priority for Chicago this offseason.

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