When the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft comes around, many analysts believe the Chicago Bears will select a pass rusher. However, not everyone is on board with those plans.
The Bears have more needs on their roster than just pass rusher. Which is why Chicago trades back from No. 30 and selects safety Dillon Thieneman in Chad Rueter of NFL.com’s latest mock draft.
“New head coach Jeff Hafley’s defensive system requires long, strong base ends like Faulk,” Reuter wrote. “If the Bears are willing to wait until the second or third round to bolster their depth at the position, they could gain value in the third round by swapping picks with the Dolphins and replace the fifth-round choice they sent to Buffalo along with DJ Moore in exchange for the Bills’ second-rounder.”
“The Bears should value Thieneman’s athleticism and secure tackling in the box,” he concluded.
While Chicago picked up an extra second-round pick from the Buffalo Bills in their DJ Moore trade, they’re always looking to add more draft capital. Ultimately though, the Bears know they must leave the first-round with an impact player. If one of their top options is available, they may be more reluctant to trade down.
However, adding draft picks while still landing a prospect like Dillon Thieneman may be a dream scenario for the Bears. Chicago did sign Coby Bryant in free agency, but both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker left the franchise. They need a long-term option at the position and Thieneman is considered one of the best in the class.
The Bears will have plenty of decisions to make throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. How the board falls when No. 25 rolls around will dictate their plans.
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