The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Jeff King, Head Coach Ben Johnson, and others are working together to create a sustained winner at Halas Hall. As of right now, the Bears have come up with a winning plan to use the team’s seven picks (Nos. 25, 57, 60, 89, 129, 239, and 241) on draft weekend. But this front office has made trades in every draft, so history suggests a shakeup shouldn’t be out of the question. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. In the meantime, let’s look at some of the best positional prospects in this class.
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Currently on the Roster (2025 PFF Grade)
Projected starters: WR Luther Burden III (76.7), WR Rome Odunze (70.3), TE Colston Loveland (84.0), TE Cole Kmet (62.9)
Key reserves: WR Kalif Raymond (70.0), WR Jahdae Walker (67.3), WR JP Richardson (60.0), WR Maurice Alexander (57.7), TE Nikola Kalinic (N/A), TE Stephen Carlson (49.8), TE Qadir Ismail (N/A)
Top 100 Prospects
We’re using Dane Brugler’s top 100 big board at The Athletic to guide us toward the best prospects and fits for the Chicago Bears in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Here’s how The Athletic’s consensus board ranks the players (overall ranking in parentheses):
WIDE RECEIVERS
Carnell Tate, Ohio State (10) Makai Lemon, USC (13) Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (20) KC Concepcion, Texas A&M (21) Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana (22) Denzel Boston, Washington (26) Germie Bernard, Alabama (41) Chris Bell, Louisville (47) Malachi Fields, Notre Dame (58) Antonio Williams, Clemson (59)Other prospects of note: De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss (WR-11, 67th overall), Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (WR-12, 69th overall), Ted Hurst, Georgia State (WR-13, 72nd overall), Zachariah Branch, Georgia (WR-14, 76th overall), Brenen Thomnpson, Mississippi State (WR-15, 82nd overall), Bryce Lance, North Dakota State (WR-16, 90th overall), Chris Brazzell II (WR-17, 96th overall), Deion Burks, Oklahoma (WR-18, 99th overall)
Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson. © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesTIGHT ENDS
Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (16) Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt (63) Max Klare, Ohio State (66) Oscar Delp, Georgia (86) Justin Joly, North Carolina State (93)Team Need
MEDIUM-LOW
I like what the Bears have going at the top of the wide receiver pecking order with Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze set to carry a lion’s share of the load. Free-agent addition Kalif Raymond and second-year UDFA standout Jahdae Walker provide depth to round out the room. But what the Bears need to find is a suitable WR-3 who can be an impact player in 11 personnel packages that call for one running back, a tight end, and three receivers. Someone who can operate in the slot would be nice. But an ideal receiver target is someone who can be interchangeable so that anyone can line up outside or in the slot on any given offensive snap.
As for the tight end need, it is relatively low. Colston Loveland sits atop the depth chart as the primary pass-catcher in the position group, but don’t sleep on his contributions as a blocker. As a “Y” tight end, Cole Kmet does a fair share of blocking, but you should know that his pass-catching prowess isn’t something to overlook. With that in mind, what the Bears need from this position group is a third tight end. Ideally, that player can play that Durham Smythe role of extra blocker in a formation *AND* chip in as a receiver.
Bears Connections and Existing Rumors
The Bears reportedly hosted a Top 30 visit with De’Zhaun Stribling, a talented receiver whose profile fits what the Bears might want out of a wideout.Best Fits and One Pick to Click
THREE GOOD FITS
De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss wide receiver. Sribling is described as a receiver with good size and speed who is described as “one of the most competitive run blockers” among the wide receivers in his draft class. That sounds exactly like what Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson wants in a receiver. Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M. I love this pre-draft write-up from NFL Draft guru Lance Zierlein, whose description of this prospect sounds like an ideal Day 3 tight end target for Chicago:Skip the stat page for Boerkircher because what he offers won’t be found there. He has average size and strength but compensates with willingness as a blocker and a taste for contact that isn’t always easy to find. He can line up in-line, land on targets in space and finish his blocks. Despite pedestrian production over five seasons, his tape shows an ability to challenge man coverage, secure contested catches with sticky hands and accelerate through contact as a runner. He’s flown under the radar but projects as an alignment-versatile combo tight end with the talent to start in the NFL.
Kaelon Black, Indiana. I think Black might be a sleeper to watch for in a scenario in which the Bears are willing to roll the dice on someone who could be a late Day 3 fit or possibly go undrafted. Black was part of a tandem of Hoosiers running backs to gain 1,000 rushing yards this past college football season. So at least you know he already has familiarity with a dual back system. Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesIF I HAD TO PICK ONE: The Chicago Bears could find helping hands at the wide receiver and tight end positions later in the NFL Draft. But if the front office wanted to do something wild, trading up for a difference-making wide receiver would fit the bill. TO be clear, I’m not pounding the table for it. However, if USC’s Makai Lemon tumbles out of his projected draft spot, I’d entertain the idea of trading up into the middle of the first round to make something happen.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says Lemon has “hints of Amon-Ra St. Brown,” which sounds alluring. A projected starter at the slot or Z position, Lemon could play that DJ Moore role at a fraction of what Moore was set to make in 2026. If it costs pick No. 60 to move up and cut a deal, would you do it? I’m not 100 percent sure I would, but I’m open to having that discussion. And I hope the Bears are, too.
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