The Chicago Bears managed to land pivotal playmakers like Colston Loveland and Luther Burden in the 2025 NFL Draft. The goal hasn’t changed for Chicago entering the 2026 version.
But while adding talent remains constant, what side of the field they play football on may differ. For all the strides the Bears made offensively in 2025, it was clear their defense is still a work in progress. Chicago finished their campaign ranked 29th in total defense, allowing 361.8 yards per game.
As the actual 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, analysts around the football world are continuing to create mock drafts. In turn, Bears fans are beginning to get an idea of who the franchise might target with their No. 25 overall pick.
Nothing will be official until Chicago turns in their draft card. But it wouldn’t be shocking to hear any of these players become the latest to be drafted by the Bears.
OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Not everyone is expecting the Bears to go defense. The team’s offensive line has gone through plenty of changes since head coach Ben Johnson’s arrival. Ozzy Trapilo’s patellar tendon injury has now thrown a wrench in their left tackle plans. By taking Proctor, Chicago would have a building block at the position for the foreseeable future.
“Proctor is a mass of humanity,” Schrager wrote. “He weighed in at 358 pounds at his pro day — but he can move. If he keeps his weight down, Proctor has as much upside as any tackle in this class. And frankly, I think he is going earlier than No. 25. But with Ozzy Trapilo out and Braxton Jones’ uneven play, Chicago would be happy with this outcome. General manager Ryan Poles is often credited for the Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey picks in Kansas City, and he has the chance to add another star to the list.”
Proctor spent three years at Alabama, appearing in 40 games. He was named a Consensus All-American in 2025 and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. If drafted by the Bears, they’d expect Proctor to be their final answer to who is protecting Caleb Williams’ blind side.
EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
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The Bears have been in desperate need of pass rush help for several seasons now. Montez Sweat will man one side of the line, but they haven’t found the best fit opposite him. Both Dayo Odeyingbo, if healthy, and Austin Booker will be battling for reps. But adding a player like Young out of the draft would give Chicago’s defense much more juice.
“The Bears have the worst pressure rate in the NFL. They need help on the defensive line,” Walter Football wrote. “Zion Young has good size and length. There’s plenty of upside.”
Over his four years at the college level – two seasons with Michigan State and another two with Missouri – Young racked up 131 tackles, 28.5 for a loss and 11.5 sacks. His senior season saw the edge rusher put up career-highs in TFLs (16.5) and sacks (6.5). Young was named First-team All-SEC for his efforts.
The Bears will have their eyes on all the top pass rushers available. If Young is still available at No. 25, he might be their best option in terms of bringing pressure to the quarterback.
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
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The Bears do have a new safety in Coby Bryant. However, Chicago also lost Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. They must find a long-term answer next to Bryant in their secondary. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be the answer to provide it.
“Defensive line is a need for the Bears, but after losing Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard, so is safety,” Crean wrote. “They did sign Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis in NFL free agency, but they still need a downhill thumper to pair with those to backend/big nickel safeties. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is just that, and his presence can help bolster the Bears’ run defense just as much as any DT on the NFL mock draft board at this point.”
McNeil-Warren spent four years at Toledo, appearing in 48 games. The safety posted a 214 tackles, 13 passes defended and five interceptions. He was named a Second-team All-American after recording 77 tackles, five pass break ups and two picks in 2025.
If/when the Bears draft a safety, they’ll be expecting them to make an immediate difference. With McNeil-Warren it would be a shock if he wasn’t starting from Week 1 based on his draft positioning.
DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Chicago has Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter as their starting defensive tackles. They signed Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street in free agency and used a second-rounder on Shemar Turner in 2025. Still, this is a Bears team that finished their most recent campaign ranked 27th against the run, allowing 134.5 YPG. Chicago still needs some big bodies up front.
“Best player available and checking off a need — that’s a win late in Round 1,” Kiper wrote. “At his best, Woods is a penetrating 3-technique who would help the Bears’ run defense (5.0 yards allowed per carry, 29th) and pass rush (35 sacks, tied for 22nd).”
Through 35 games during his three years at Clemson, Woods mustered up 84 tackles, 14.5 for a loss and five sacks. He was named First-team All-SEC in 2025 after putting up 30 tackles, 3.5 for a loss and two sacks.
The Bears know their defensive line could use a boost after 2025’s performance. Drafting Woods gives Chicago a player to build around in the middle of that line.
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