The Chicago Bears are finalizing their plans ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, where they’ll be looking to shore up the roster. One key need is safety following the departures of starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker this offseason.
The safety position group might be the most fun to evaluate. It’s an extremely deep class, and for the Bears, who are in need of another future starter alongside newly acquired Coby Bryant, it’s a great opportunity to land an impact starter for years to come.
There are first-round options Chicago should be interested in, but again, it all depends on how the draft plays out. There are possibilities where the top three safeties in the draft are taken before No. 25 or one or two are available. Caleb Downs is the top safety in the class and shouldn’t drop out of the Top 10. Dillon Thieneman is the No. 2 in the class, and probably the one several teams want who are outside the Top 10.
Chicago is looking for speed in the secondary, but also someone who is versatile, can cover downfield, and play at the line of scrimmage. There are plenty of options in rounds two, three, and four — it’s just who fits in Dennis Allen’s system. I’m not putting Downs in this article because, realistically, he’s out of the Bears’ range. So here are the rest of the safeties the Bears should target in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Dillon Thieneman is a defensive coordinator’s dream. With his speed, size, and versatility, he really can do it all, and at times, clean up others’ mistakes. He ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, had a 41-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-5-inch broad jump.
Thieneman recorded 306 tackles with eight interceptions in three seasons as a starter. He has a high IQ for the game and, with his speed, can be a rangy safety that can track the deep ball. Thieneman has a knack for being near the ball, never taking his eyes off ball carriers, and pursues the ball. he isn’t the best in man coverage, but that really is his only flaw.
Thieneman has been projected outside the top 10 anywhere from pick No. 12 through No. 25. There are several teams that would have to pass up on the NFL-ready safety in order for him to land in Chicago.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren might be the most mocked player to the Bears since the draft process has gotten going, and his name has risen into the first round. He’s tall and long and is better near the line of scrimmage. McNeil-Warren is slippery — he squeezes and slides out of blocks and is disruptive to ball catchers over the middle.
As long as he’s been mocked to Chicago, the need remains on the defensive side of the ball in the trenches. McNeil-Warren might not bring the kind of versatility the Bears defense is looking for. But McNeil-Warren has struggled with deep coverage over the top.
AJ Haulcy, LSU
With AJ Haulcy, this has now reached the second round of potential targets for Chicago. With the same speed at EMW, a 4.52 40-yard dash, Haulcy is a compact safety with a muscled frame and a pro feel for reading the field. He was a ballhawk in his college career, with 10 interceptions and made 202 tackles. He closed down with good balance and with controlled feet.
Haulcy now has the top-end speed and burst to close, which causes some mismatches in the secondary. The speed also means he has an average change of direction and reactive agility as an open-field tackler.
Chicago will have to play a waiting game with the safeties. The faster guys in the draft will be the ones to watch out for who might get taken earlier than projected.
Treydan Stukes, Arizona
If there is a prospect outside of Thieneman that I want to see in a Bears uniform next season, it’s Stukes. Anytime someone has some sort of track record of an injury like a Torn ACL that lingers in the back of the head, but Stukes has the versatility and, most importantly, the speed Chicago is looking for.
Stukes ran a 4.33 40-yard dash and recorded a 38-inch vertical. Stukes will be 25 by the first month of the season, which is possibly another knock, but he comes in NFL-ready.
His acceleration and closing speed to track balls downfield and be rangy are there. He’s improved as a ballhawk with 4 interceptions this past season, and as a last resort on the back end, not many running backs will outrun Stukes.
Stukes’ game in the box and line of scrimmage has improved, but his downhill pursuit still needs some work.
As round two gets underway, teams with safety needs are going to want to pull the trigger on Stukes, making it questionable if Stukes will be available at No. 57.
Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
This is another player with versatility — he’s rangy and able to play over the top and able to limit the extra yardage. The physicality from Wheatley has grown, and he’s increased his willingness to play near the line of scrimmage. The length he provides gives him the ability to be a good open-field tackler.
This is a guy Chicago could target in rounds three or four and replace one Nittany Lion with their other.
VJ Payne, Kansas State
VJ Payne ran a 4.40 40-yard dash and is long and rangy. This seems like the Bears kind of guy, and a lot of teams are trying to take the same kind of mole that Seattle has with Nick Emmanwori. He has the physicality to bring it in the box and in the run game, can play over the slot, and can play as a split safety.
He is quick to diagnose plays and has good anticipation and range to play over the top. He plays well in man coverage and can line up on tight ends.
Although projected fourth or fifth round, he’s a guy that, depending on how the board falls in the third round, I could see Chicago drafting at pick No. 89.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 6 safety options for the Chicago Bears in the 2026 NFL Draft
Reporting by Preston Zbroszczyk , Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
