The Chicago Bears have plenty of needs to address heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, and general manager Ryan Poles will have to make some important decisions on how to approach this draft.
Poles has always taken a best-available approach, which landed Chicago wide receiver Luther Burden III last season, but there’s also an array of needs where Poles can’t afford to simply go best-available. Luckily, the Bears have four picks in the top 89 selections, including an additional second-round pick after trading receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills.
ESPN’s Field Yates unveiled a new two-round mock draft, where he had the Bears overhauling the defense at key positions of need. Let’s break down each of those three selections in the first two rounds:
Round 1, Pick 25: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
The Bears have needs across the defensive line heading into the draft, where defensive tackle and edge rusher feel like safe bets in the first round. Chicago would have their pick of defensive tackles at No. 25 in this mock, so it’s surprising that they elect to go edge in a draft class where Ryan Poles said he believes edge rusher is deeper than defensive tackle. Still, landing an explosive edge rusher like Zion Young, who plays with violence and could thrive in Dennis Allen’s defense.
Here’s what Yates had to say about the selection:
The Bears need to keep investing in edge rushers after tying for the worst pass rush win rate in 2025 (28.8%) and not signing any big-time free agents. Young would be a good fit here because of his play style. He uses heavy, power hands and his 6-6 frame to engage and run through offensive tackles.
Young also has some versatility to reduce down inside on sub downs and rush effectively because his sturdy frame can withstand contact. He had 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025.
Round 2, Pick 57: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
The Bears’ starting linebackers could look different in Week 1 following Tremaine Edmunds’ release and with T.J. Edwards recovering from a fractured fibula suffered back during the wild-card playoffs in January. While Chicago has made moves to address linebacker in free agency with Devin Bush, re-signing D’Marco Jackson and bringing back Jack Sanborn, the allure of Jacob Rodriguez would be hard to pass up. He plays with toughness and has great instincts and would be a a playmaker in the making in Dennis Allen’s defense.
Here’s what Yates had to say about the selection:
Chicago’s defensive overhaul this offseason included the release of Tremaine Edmunds and an overall focus on getting faster. Rodriguez would help with the latter in Edmunds’ place. Making him an even better fit is that he’s the best ball disrupter in the class; he forced an astonishing seven fumbles and had four interceptions in 2025. The Bears led the NFL in takeaways last season (33).
Round 2, Pick 60: Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona
The Bears have a glaring need at safety following the departures of starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. Chicago did land one of the top safeties in Coby Bryant, but they still need to find him a running mate for the 2026 season and beyond. Treydan Stukes is a versatile defensive back who would likely slot into that safety spot for Chicago. Stukes has great ball-tracking skills and is a ballhawk with his five interceptions in 2025.
Here’s what Yates had to say about the selection:
Stukes is a hybrid player who can effectively impact the running game (28 tackles on designed rushes in 2025) and produce in coverage (four INTs). He’s an older prospect at age 26, but he’d be a useful addition to a Chicago safety room that lost Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker in free agency.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Breaking down Bears’ picks in new ESPN 2-round mock draft
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
