March 27, 2026, 11:43 a.m. CT
The Chicago Bears have significant defensive needs to address in the 2026 NFL draft, particularly at defensive tackle, edge rusher, and safety.Many mock drafts project the Bears will select Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with the 25th overall pick.Other potential first-round targets for Chicago include defensive linemen like Peter Woods, Zion Young, and Kayden McDonald.The team lost starting safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency, creating a major vacancy in the secondary.
The ChicagoBears are looking to take a step forward in head coach Ben Johnson’s second season, but they still have some roster needs to address before the start of the 2026 season to ensure that happens.
There are some obvious needs following the first wave of free agency, including defensive tackle, edge rusher and safety. The Bears didn’t really make a splash in the defensive trenches, adding a couple of depth options in Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street and not really addressing the edge. Meanwhile, Chicago signed Super Bowl-winning safety Coby Bryant, but both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker signed with other teams, which leaves a starting safety job to fill in the draft.
We’ve rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Bears will target safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren or a defensive lineman with the 25th overall pick. Simply put: It’s defense or bust.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: “Ryan Poles has already demonstrated that he’s willing to pay a premium for playmaking ability at safety after handing Coby Bryant a three-year, $40 million deal. He can complete his team’s transformation at the position by nabbing McNeil-Warren, an authoritative run stopper who has considerable upside in matching up against the NFC North’s imposing tight ends.”
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!The Athletic: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Vic Tafur: “The Bears have a lot of offensive players they are counting on to get better, so why not add a tall safety who can make plays on the ball and get the offense more chances?”
ESPN: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Field Yates: “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.”
Charles Davis: “Woods fills a need for the Bears, providing more pressure from the interior.”
CBS Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Josh Edwards: “Peter Woods was once regarded as a potential top 5 overall selection. Although I never saw him as a clear and obvious blue-chip talent, this is good value for the Clemson product and fills a need for the Bears.”
FOX Sports: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Ben Arthur: “The Bears continue their secondary makeover by drafting McNeil-Warren, pairing him with free-agent acquisition Coby Bryant to give Chicago a new safety tandem for 2026. McNeil-Warren had five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two interceptions (one pick-six) at Toledo last season.”
Athlon Sports: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Luke Easterling: “Signing Coby Bryant in free agency was a solid move, but after losing both Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, the Bears still have an opening in the starting lineup at safety. If the board falls this way, Chicago could pass on the defensive trenches players here to land a big-play machine on the back end in McNeil-Warren, who has impressive range and athleticism for his size, and brings a hard-hitting style to the table.”
Pro Football Sports Network: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Jacob Infante: “Ben Johnson led the Chicago Bears to a playoff appearance and an NFC North crown, solidifying them as one of the biggest turnarounds in the NFL this year. Much of that was due to their offense, though. Defensively, they’ve consistently struggled to get home with a four-man rush, and free agent additions Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett didn’t live up to the hype in 2025. Listed at 6’5″ and 262 pounds, Zion Young is a high-floor edge rusher with impressive play strength and length that helps him set the edge well in run support. He’s gotten better every year as a pass rusher, adding new moves to his arsenal and showing improved first-step acceleration in 2025 for Missouri.”
Touchdown Wire: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Alyssa Barbieri: “The Bears have defensive needs across the board, including safety which could also be an option here. But given Chicago didn’t make a significant move in the defensive trenches, adding a disruptive defensive tackle like Peter Woods feels like a smart move, especially considering edge rusher is a deeper group in the draft. Woods is explosive, speedy and a strong run defender who also brings interior pressure. He’d help elevate Chicago’s defensive line and has the potential to thrive in Dennis Allen’s defense.”
Draft Wire: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Curt Popejoy: “Kayden McDonald is one of the most underrated prospects in the draft for me and a guy who I think can really be an impact player in the right system. The Bears are solid but not spectacular on the interior defensive line and could seriously benefit from a player who can just eat up blockers the way McDonald can.”