The 2026 NFL Draft is just 10 days away. And while we have spent a healthy amount of time discussing obvious candidates for the Chicago Bears, I’m ready to dig into some potential sleepers and late risers who could jump out when festivities begin in Pittsburgh. Thankfully, a pair of pieces at ESPN dropped to give us some new names and provide some perspective regarding some worthwhile prospect names.
2026 NFL Draft Prospect Watch: Sleepers and Players on the Rise
ESPN’s Jeff Legwold has a piece spotlighting seven players whose stocks are on the rise. You might be wondering how a player’s stock takes a jump when games of consequence haven’t been played since January. And while that is an astute observation and a fair point to make, Legwold has an explanation and a quote from Washington Commanders General Manager Adam Peters that makes sense of things. All in all, Legwold’s piece is a fascinating read — and not just because of the prospects he mentions.
It is worth pointing out that last year’s list featured Missouri’s Armand Membou and North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel, a pair of offensive line prospects who went earlier in the draft than some had previously expected. In other words, we would be wise to check out who is on this year’s list — especially since a few prospects who have been connected to the Bears in mock drafts receive mentions from Legwold. A quick rundown of those prospects and an explanation of why their stock is viewed as being on the rise.
Monroe Freeling, Georgia offensive tackle: “Some of it is physics. He has rare fluidity in his lower body for a player his size and should be able to add more strength since he won’t turn 22 until July. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds, has 34¾-inch arms and moves like a tight end in space. Freeling also showed quality ability to react to inside counters from rushers, recover, get his feet right and win the play.”I saw Monroe Freeling’s name as a bottom half of the first round in plenty of mock drafts early in the offseason, but his stock has been on a steady climb ever since. So much so that I barely consider him as a potential Bears target. Freeling might be one of the most pro-ready offensive line prospects in this class, which means he will likely be long gone before Chicago goes on the clock with pick No. 25.
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon safety: “Along with the statistical production, Thieneman displays excellent instincts. The best example of that came in the win over Penn State last season, as his interception of Drew Allar in double overtime sealed a Ducks win. Thieneman fits the NFL game with his frame, reach and plus-level athleticism.”It is absolutely wild to think about how much Dillon Thieneman’s stock has jumped since late January. The pushback to our post about NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft, sending the Oregon safety to Chicago, has aged like milk behind a radiator. There is a non-zero chance that Thieneman is on the board when the Bears are on the clock, but there is a higher possibility that he gets taken before Chicago could even consider taking the safety prospect.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Max Iheanachor, Arizona State offensive tackle: “For some, the draft is about potential over production, and Iheanachor is still an ascending player who needs to smooth out some rough edges. But with his size, mobility (4.95-second 40) and 83¼-inch wingspan, he has the qualities offensive line coaches want in a tackle.”Ryan Poles showing up at Arizona State’s pro day event means the Bears’ general manager got a good look at Iheanachor. It is possible that the second-team All-Big 12 lineman could be in the mix for Chicago at pick No. 25. However, an early run on offensive linemen could take him off the board.
It has been tough to peg these offensive line targets as good fits for this team because the transition from right tackle to left tackle isn’t easy. But Chicago showed it is willing to take the risk and even proved it could develop a right tackle by trade into a starting-caliber left tackle with how it managed Ozzy Trapilo as a rookie.
Unfortunately, Trapilo’s injury has opened the door to the possibility of the Bears taking a left tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft. If that is how the cookie crumbles, it might be a sign of how the team truly feels about his long-term recovery plan. That would be telling after Poles recently shared a relatively optimistic update.
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesAlso at ESPN, Adam Rittenberg reaches out to college coaches to pick 2026 NFL Draft sleepers. I’ve highlighted my favorite prospects who I think are conceivable Bears fits below:
Jonah Washington, Washington RB — With Travis Homer’s departure in free agency, Roschon Johnson’s inability to stand out in the crowd, and D’Andre Swift’s pending free agency, it would make sense if the Bears unearth a running back who could join their rotation now and possibly step into a bigger role alongside Kyle Monangai in 2027. Lewis Bond, Boston College WR — The Bears have shown an affinity for Senior Bowl standouts in the past, so I expect the team to land at least one in this draft class. Perhaps the front office would lean on Will Lawing, who joined Head Coach Ben Johnson’s staff this offseason after serving as BC’s offensive coordinator last year. Tanner Koziol, Houston TE — Durham Smythe played the TE3 role admirably in 2025, but followed ex-Bears Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle in joining the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Koziol, who checks in at 6-6 and 247 pounds, was a first-team All-Big 12 player who led FBS tight ends with 74 catches. The son of Bears Director of Player Personnel Trey Koziol could be a Day 3 pick. Jaren Kump, Utah C — I wonder if Kump’s name came up in conversation while the Bears had Utah’s Caleb Lomu in for a visit last week. Kump started 12 games at center last year and started at least one game at every offensive line position during his time at Utah. That is impressive.2026 NFL Mock Draft: Will Rueben Bain Jr. Fall? New Wideout Enters Top 10, More www.bleachernation.com/bears/2026/04/13/2026-nfl-mock-draft-31/[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@bn-bears.bsky.social) April 13, 2026 at 11:58 AM Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern DE — Hubbard makes my watch list because of this quote from the ESPN post via an opposing coach: “I f—ing loved him. His play style, he’s going to be successful, he’s going to find a way to be competitive. He’s a gritty, tough ass, blue-collar kind of guy.” You can never have too many gritty, tough, blue-collar defensive linemen. Kyle Louis, Pitt LB/S — There seems to be no consensus on Louis’ pro position. For some, that might be a yellow flag. But for me, I see positional flexibility as something Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen can leverage. Hence, my interest in this sleeper prospect Karson Sharar, Iowa LB — One thing we learned in last year’s draft is that this front office values speed in its linebackers. Signing Devin Bush in free agency back in March drove that home, too. Sharar ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and tested well at the Combine. This Hawkeyes prospect has sleeper potential. Michael Taaffe, Texas S — Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian believes Taaffe will contribute on defense and special teams, which is something Chicago values in its safeties. Throw in an “elite” football IQ and a 40-yard dash time that ranked 11th-best among safeties at the NFL Scouting Combine, and you’ve got someone who makes sense as a potential Bears target.MORE BEARS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad-Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
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