{"id":851432,"date":"2026-04-03T15:26:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851432\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:26:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:26:59","slug":"2026-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-bears-explore-multiple-options-at-no-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851432\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears explore multiple options at No. 25"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears<\/a> are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft, where general manager Ryan Poles and his staff are finalizing their plans before draft night in a few weeks.<\/p>\n

Following free agency, the Bears<\/a> have some big needs to address on the roster heading into head coach Ben Johnson’s second season. Most of those needs are on defense, which includes defensive line and safety. And while most mock drafts have Chicago targeting those two positions at 25th overall, is defense really a lock with the Bears’ best-available mindset?<\/p>\n

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We’ve rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where most experts still have the Bears leaning defense with their first-round pick but offensive tackle isn’t necessarily off the board either.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 16<\/p>\n

Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign DT Neville Gallimore<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign DT Neville Gallimore<\/p>\n

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PFF grades for new Chicago Bears in free agency<\/p>\n

Bears sign S Coby Bryant<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign LB Devin Bush<\/p>\n

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What Ben Johnson hopes Kalif Raymond brings to the Bears<\/p>\n

Bears sign WR Kalif Raymond<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign DB Cam Lewis<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign DL Kentavius Street<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign OT Jedrick Wills Jr.<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears re-sign QB Case Keenum<\/p>\n

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Ben Johnson sounds off on Braxton Jones’ return to Bears<\/p>\n

Bears re-sign LT Braxton Jones<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears re-sign LB D’Marco Jackson<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears re-sign DE Daniel Hardy<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears re-sign S Elijah Hicks<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears re-sign OL Jordan McFadden<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears re-sign CB Jaylon Jones<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign DL James Lynch<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bears 2026 free agency tracker<\/p>\n

Bears sign LB Jack Sanborn<\/p>\n

USA Today: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo<\/p>\n

Aryton Ostley<\/a>: “Chicago lost\u00a0Jaquan Brisker\u00a0and\u00a0Kevin Byard\u00a0in free agency and still has a glaring need on the back end. Luckily, the board lines up with that need pretty well with McNeil-Warren, Toledo\u2019s latest top defensive back prospect. He has the size and speed to hang in coverage and brings a hard-hitting edge in run defense as well.”<\/p>\n

The Athletic: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami<\/p>\n

Bruce Feldman<\/a>: “If McNeil-Warren were still on the board, Chicago would\u2019ve loved to scoop up the big safety, but Mesidor fills a big need too. The Ottawa native, who began his college career at West Virginia, was the other edge guy on a Miami D-line that gave QBs nightmares. Mesidor had 17.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2025. Like his teammate Rueben Bain, the 6-3, 265-pound Mesidor was at his best in Miami\u2019s Playoff run, notching 5.5 sacks.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBecause Bain\u2019s such a beast, people tend to overlook what a monster this guy is,\u201d said an ACC head coach. \u201cHe\u2019s really violent with his hands and can really bend too. And he\u2019s got a really good motor. He won\u2019t stay blocked and he just keeps coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

ESPN: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson<\/p>\n

Mel Kiper Jr.<\/a>: “Best player available and checking off a need — that’s a win late in Round 1. 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).”<\/p>\n

NFL.com: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama<\/p>\n

Nick Shook<\/a>: “The run on tackles continues at No. 25, where the Bears show they understand protecting\u00a0Caleb Williams\u00a0is priority No. 1. With\u00a0Ozzy Trapilo\u00a0returning from a patellar injury, it would be prudent for the Bears to invest in the position with Proctor, a massive, athletic tackle with the build to keep Williams\u2019 jersey clean.”<\/p>\n

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CBS Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson<\/p>\n

Josh Edwards<\/a>: “Peter Woods was once regarded as a potential top-five overall selection. Although I never saw him as a clear blue-chip talent, this is good value for the Clemson product and fills a need for the Bears.”<\/p>\n

Yahoo! Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson<\/p>\n

Charles McDonald<\/a>: “Woods\u2019 draft day slide stops here with the Bears adding a real home run swing at a position of desperate need. Chicago\u2019s defensive line was not stout enough last season and, at his best, Woods can be an impact defender at multiple alignments along the interior. The Bears have tried their hand at a few defensive tackle prospects over the last few years, but Woods has a higher floor than their recent Day 2 ventures.”<\/p>\n

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FOX Sports: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF (trade back with Patriots, No. 31)<\/p>\n

Rob Rang<\/a>: “The Bears enter the draft with seven selections, but that number is deceiving as they have a 110 pick gap on Day 3 between the fourth and seventh rounds. I expect Bears GM Ryan Poles will trade down at some point to bridge that gap. If he can do so early and still get a dynamic edge rusher (who, frankly, should be in consideration with their original pick at No. 25), Poles will be giving the Bears their best chance for the kind of draft class that can spring a Super Bowl run.”<\/p>\n

Athlon Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson<\/p>\n

Luke Easterling<\/a>: “It\u2019s no secret the Bears need to get their defense on the same level we saw from their offense in Year 1 under Ben Johnson, and the biggest improvements need to happen in the trenches. Chicago needs a disruptive interior defender who can blow up run plays and push the pocket as a pass rusher, and Woods has the talent to check both boxes. His film was frustrating to watch in college as he played out of position too often, but if he\u2019s used properly, he could be much more dominant in the pros than he was for the Tigers.”<\/p>\n

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Sports Illustrated: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon<\/p>\n

Gilberto Manzano<\/a>: “Thieneman is excellent in coverage and can do a lot more than just roam as the center fielder. His versatility, combined with the arrival of Coby Bryant, would give defensive coordinator Dennis Allen two chess pieces in the back end of his defense.”<\/p>\n

Sporting News: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama<\/p>\n

Vinnie Iyer<\/a>: “The Bears also will think about safety, but they also will find it difficult to ignore the size and athletic upside of Proctor to boost them overall at guard or right tackle.”<\/p>\n

Bleacher Report:<\/p>\n

Daniel Harms<\/a>: “The losses of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in the same offseason aren’t ideal after Chicago’s successful turnaround during the 2025 campaign. However, McNeil-Warren adds a much-needed physical presence and a defender who can float between the hash and box. His instincts are better than he gets credit for, and the 6’3″, 201-pound defensive back brings a unique body-type to the secondary, with the ability to mix it up with NFL tight ends and tackle in the run game.”<\/p>\n

Follow Bears Wire on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears explore multiple options at No. 25<\/a><\/p>\n