The Chicago Bears might not play in a market with seven or eight college football powerhouses around, but there are no nobodies around either.

The Wisconsin Badgers are having a bad year in a strong Big Ten, but it’s a national brand that people recognize. This weekend, Wisconsin is hosting the defending National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, who are poised for a repeat at this point of the season. 

Whenever teams like this get together, the predicted outcome feels likely, but there are a lot of players on the field with NFL aspirations. Chicago may want to look at a handful of them for their draft boards: 

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Caleb Downs has the potential to be one of the first players taken in the 2026 NFL draft. There is a world where he is the first overall pick; it would depend on who has the selection. Sometimes, quarterbacks and offensive weapons with upside get the tie-breaker, but Downs has a case to be known as the best defensive player in the draft. He is almost certainly the best defensive back in the draft. The situation with Chicago’s secondary is fluid. They have a lot of potential change coming, and there is just uncertainty with injuries and inconsistencies. Adding a talent like Downs would solidify the safety position for a while.

Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin

It is no secret that the Bears are still looking to add on when it comes to the offensive line. In particular, the left and right tackle positions need depth. We’ll see what Darnell Wright becomes, as he has only been in the league for a short time still, but the need to always try and upgrade in the trenches is there. Riley Mahlman is worth considering later in the draft. Wisconsin isn’t as draft-heavy as it usually is, but this player could be the first Badger that comes off the board. Going against Ohio State’s defensive line will be a great test.

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Carnell Tate is going to be a first-round draft pick. The Ohio State Buckeyes have pumped out wide receivers in recent drafts like only a few others can. Now, with Tate, it appears that they are going to do it again. The Bears have an interesting situation at receiver on the NFL level. Rome Odunze is looking like a long-term star, while Luther Burden III looks like someone who will be an impact player, as well. Then there is DJ Moore, who has star power, talent, and name recognition, but he hasn’t fit in as well since Caleb Williams became the quarterback. If the Bears move on from Moore, they may be looking for another top-level guy to pair with Odunze. Ben Johnson is not afraid to draft offensive talent high, and Tate fits the bill.

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Like a couple of units on the Bears, they don’t have long-term stability at linebacker anymore. The years of knowing for a fact that Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards are there for a while are in the past. They could still stick around and be impact players, but the time may be coming to consider their potential replacements. Arvelle Reese can be an impact player. He could go in the first or second round this year, and the Bears have the tools they need to grab a player like this. Watching him dominate Wisconsin’s offense certainly won’t hurt his draft stock.

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