The Chicago Bears are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they have four picks in the Top 89, including the 25th overall selection, to shore up the roster.
For the first time in four years, Chicago won’t be selecting in the Top 10, following their impressive 11-6 season where they won the NFC North and fell just one game shy of the NFC Championship Game in Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach. Now, the Bears will be picking at No. 25, where there should be some intriguing prospects in play. General manager Ryan Poles is expected to once again employ his “best available” approach that landed him tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III last year.
Depending on how the board falls, there should be some top talent available come No. 25. After looking at some dream picks for Chicago in the first round, we’re taking a look at some of the more realistic options at 25.
1. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Chicago has just four safeties on their roster right now, following the losses of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, including just one starter in free agent addition Coby Bryant. The Bears need to find another starting safety in this draft, and it’s all a matter of which round they’ll find him. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has been the most-mocked player to Chicago during the pre-draft process, but there are also some who believe he’ll fall to the second round. McNeil-Warren is a physical defender who would fill that void left by Brisker, and he’s known for his ballhawking prowess having nine career forced fumbles.
2. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
The Bears need to improve their pass rush during the draft, be it with an interior defender or an edge player, and this is a deep class to get it done. Still, taking an edge rusher at No. 25 isn’t out of the question, and Zion Young has been a name mentioned in conjunction with Chicago as the draft approaches. Young is an explosive player who would help bolster a defense that totaled just 35 sacks last season, and the Bears could use a disruptive edge rusher to help bring pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
3. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
There’s been a lot of discussion about the Bears taking a defensive player with the 25th pick, and while defensive line and safety are certainly the biggest needs on the team, general manager Ryan Poles has always had a best-available approach. There’s also smoke building around Chicago potentially going offensive tackle in this situation with Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon back in January. If Kadyn Proctor is sitting there at No. 25, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Bears pull the trigger and find a long-term answer at left tackle entering the 2026 season.
4. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Bears need to find a starting safety following Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker’s offseason departures, and they could very well take one in the first round. There’s a good chance that Dillion Thieneman is off the board before No. 25, but there’s always a chance that he could still be available depending on how the board falls. Thieneman, a three-year starter, has the size, speed and versatility to thrive in the NFL. He’s got great instincts and would thrive in Dennis Allen’s defense.
5. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Chicago has struggled getting after the quarterback for the last few years now, and they need help opposite former Pro Bowler Montez Sweat if this defense is going to become a formidable unit. Selecting and edge rusher in the first round certainly feels like a good possibility, and another popular pick to the Bears is Clemson’s T.J. Parker, a physical and powerful rusher who could help elevate a pass rush that totaled just 35 sacks last season. Parker is coming off a down 2025, but his 2024 season proved he has the potential to thrive.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 realistic options for Chicago Bears at No. 25 in 2026 NFL Draft
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
