We’re just hours away from the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Chicago Bears are gearing up to welcome some new faces to the roster.
The Bears are in a prime position to land some top talent with four picks in the Top 89, which includes the 25th overall selection, two second rounders and a third-round pick. But all eyes are on Chicago and what they intend to do at No. 25.
While the Bears welcomed some new faces to the roster, including safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, center Garrett Bradbury and wide receiver Kalif Raymond, they also suffered some significant losses, including receiver DJ Moore, safeties Kevin Byard and Kaquan Brosjer, cornerback Nahshon Wright, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and center Drew Dalman.
So Chicago has some big holes to fill, most notably on defense, where the biggest concerns are on the defensive line and at safety. While the Bears have always preached a best-available mindset, they also need to keep position needs in mind.
It’s certainly possible that Chicago trades back from 25th overall, especially if they feel like they can still land a top player a few picks later while landing an additional selection. But, for this exercise, we’re assuming the Bears stay put and make a selection. With that in mind, here are the positions most likely to be the pick at 25th overall.
5. Defensive tackle
At one point, defensive tackle was nearly the universal selection for the Bears in mock drafts. But this isn’t a particularly deep defensive tackle group, and it might not be worth taking one this high in the draft if there are better players available when the 25th pick rolls around. After an offseason where they added depth at defensive tackle, Chicago needs a disruptive interior defender to pair with Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett. Adding Kayden McDonald or Peter Woods or Caleb Banks would be great additions to the roster. But what if there’s just someone better available?
4. Safety
Like defensive tackle, this is statistically one of Chicago’s biggest roster needs. The Bears lost three safeties this offseason, including starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. While they signed Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant in free agency, there’s still a need for a starter opposite him, as well as depth to fill out in the later rounds. Unless Dillon Thieneman, or maybe even Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, is sitting there are No. 25, Chicago would be wise to wait until Day 2 to add a safety, where Treydan Stukes, AJ Haulcy and Bud Clark, among others, could be available with one of two second-round selections.
3. Cornerback
Cornerback is low on the list of needs for the Bears right now, which speaks to the number of needs heading into the draft. Chicago could very well have its starting trio of Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson on the outside and Kyler Gordon in the slot. But if there’s an opportunity to land a top playmaking cornerback when No. 25 rolls around, it’s hard to imagine the Bears passing on someone like Jermod McCoy, Aveion Terell or Colton Hood, just because they have bigger defensive needs. As we’ve seen before, Chicago won’t hesitate to draft a player at a position that’s not a glaring need.
2. Left tackle
For a minute, it looked like the Bears finally found an answer at left tackle with second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo, who found his way into the lineup midway through the season and never gave the job back. Unfortunately, Trapilo ruptured his patellar tendon in the wild-card playoffs and will miss most of the 2026 season. Now, Chicago needs a left tackle — be it a short-term or long-term option. The Bears could turn to Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet or Jedrick Wills Jr. But if a top tackle falls into their laps at No. 25, Chicago won’t hesitate to select one. As far as I’m concerned, left tackle and edge rusher are interchangeable, depending on how the board falls. But for the sake of the potential run on tackles in the middle of the first round, let’s put it at No. 2 and assume the top options are off the board for Chicago.
1. Edge rusher
The Bears need to improve their pass rush if they want to be serious contenders in the NFC. The pass rush has been the defense’s Achilles heel for years, and outside of Montez Sweat, there’s been a lot to be desired, both off the edge and from the interior. Still, you have to imagine that edge rusher will be a priority for Chicago heading into the draft, whether it’s in the first round or Day 2. There’s likely to be several options on the board for the Bears at No. 25, including Akheem Meisdor, Zion Young, T.J. Parker and Keldric Faulk. Depending on how they fall on Chicago’s big board, selecting a disruptive pass rusher would be a welcome addition for Dennis Allen’s defense. But the Bears could also wait until Day 2 to address it.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ranking the positions most likely to be drafted by Bears at No. 25
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
