The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and the Chicago Bears should be looking to add at the safety position, a glaring hole on the roster where they lost veterans Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. But they were able to make one splash by bringing in Coby Bryant.
Byard and Brisker both departed for AFC teams this offseason, with Brisker signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Byard signing a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. Last season, those two veterans played a key part for the defense, especially Byard, who led the NFL in interceptions en route to an All-Pro season and was a captain on the field and in the locker room.
While the Bears have other pressing needs on their roster, especially on the defensive side, there is no denying that the team needs to address the safety spot with a sense of urgency. With four picks in the Top 89 selections of the draft, Chicago has an opportunity to bring in the highest talent with a best player available strategy.
We’re examining a safety that Chicago can target in each round of the NFL draft. With defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and general manager Ryan Poles making it clear that they want to get faster and more productive at safety, there is going to be no shortage of options for the Bears heading into this week’s draft. Here’s one for every round:
Round 1: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
A name that has been tied to the Bears throughout the pre-draft process, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is one of the best names that could be available to Chicago in the first round. Very similar to the style of playmaker that Jaquan Brisker was, McNeil-Warren can make plays on the ball while having great size at the position. In three years at Toledo, McNeil-Warren totaled 206 tackles, 13 pass breakups, 11 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, and five interceptions. His ability to find the football feels nearly like a perfect fit for Dennis Allen’s defense.
Round 2: Treydan Stukes, Arizona
A versatile nickel corner who can thrive at safety in the NFL, Treydan Stukes has outstanding speed at the defensive back position. This past season, Stukes totaled 52 tackles, four interceptions, six pass breakups, with one sack to his credit, showing his ability to make plays as a versatile player in the secondary. For his play last season, PFF gave him a grade of 90.1 where he held quarterbacks to a 34.4 passer rating,.
Round 3: Kamari Ramsey, USC
One of the biggest traits for Kamari Ramsey while playing for USC was his sound tackling ability, and he’s got great play recognition at the position. He is a big nickel that also profiles as free safety, where he can cover both tight ends and slot receivers while closing on the play. Ramsey would be a good addition simply based off his tackling technique.
Round 4: Bud Clark, TCU
Every fit for the Chicago Bears at the safety position are going to have similar traits, mainly their ball-hawking skills. There are few safeties who found the football as efficiently as Bud Clark did in his four collegiate seasons, with 15 interceptions over that time, not having a season with less than three interceptions per year. His speed and ability to close on plays is a great trait, but he does take gambles that lead to missed tackles.
Round 5: Michael Taaffe, Texas
A projected Day 3 pick, Michael Taaffe played well for the Longhorns throughout his four seasons, and he’s praised for his character and leadership through his collegiate career. Taaffe doesn’t have the same play-making ability as everyone else mentioned on this list, but he is a player that could come in and earn a spot simply based off his leadership qualities, hard-work ethic, and football IQ.
Round 6: Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
A former linebacker turned safety, Cole Wisniewski could be quite the find for special teams to at least begin his career. After recovering from a foot injury in 2024, Wisniewski had 78 tackles and six pass breakups for Texas Tech this past season. He’d be a versatile weapon on the Bears defense that could allow Dennis Allen to show his creativity with a player with the build of Wisniewski.
Round 7: Jalen Huskey, Maryland
Jalen Huskey does not have the top-tier speed to make him an earlier round selection, but he does make plays after transitioning from cornerback to safety this past year. Huskey, like all the aforementioned names, has the ball-hawking ability, hauling in four interceptions on the season. He’ll likely have to make a run for the roster through special teams, but he profiles as the type of player that Chicago needs to look for throughout the draft.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 1 safety for Chicago Bears in every round of 2026 NFL Draft
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
