![\"Bears](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2191512888-5-e1775492959457.jpg\")
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Bears general manager Ryan Poles.<\/p>\n
The Chicago Bears<\/a> could have a few targets in mind for their No. 25 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL<\/a> draft, but could they instead trade the pick and move further back into the opening round for a top defensive playmaker?<\/p>\n The Bears have several roster needs, mostly on the defensive side of the ball, that they could potentially address when the first round of the 2026 draft commences in about two weeks. Defensive tackle and edge rusher are two primary needs, but the team also needs another starter-quality safety who can occupy the deep field with Coby Bryant.<\/p>\n With the safety need in mind, NFL Network\u2019s Chad Reuter<\/a> projected a dream scenario for the Bears in which they would trade back one spot with the Buffalo Bills, reclaim the 2026 fifth-rounder that they gave up in the DJ Moore trade in March and still walk away with one of the top safeties in the draft: Oregon standout Dillon Thieneman.<\/p>\n \u201cGeneral manager Ryan Poles should be happy to regain his fifth-round pick from Buffalo while moving down just one spot,\u201d Reuter wrote April 3 in his five-round mock draft. \u201cThe move ensures he can land the athletic Thieneman, who\u2019ll join Coby Bryant in replacing departed starting safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard.\u201d<\/p>\n Dillon Thieneman Makes Sense for Bears in Round 1<\/p>\n The Bears might not get their shot at Thieneman, but he would make a lot of sense for Dennis Allen\u2019s defense if they found themselves in a spot to take him in the first round.<\/p>\n Thieneman tallied 306 total tackles and eight interceptions during his three seasons as a starting safety for Purdue (2023-24) and Oregon (2025), showcasing his versatility to play all three critical safety roles \u2014 including in the slot \u2014 and displaying a high-end IQ. He also has the speed that the Bears desire for their new-look secondary, clocking 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash (fourth best among safeties) at the 2026 NFL Combine.<\/p>\n \u201cThieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts,\u201d NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein<\/a> wrote about Thieneman in his pre-draft profile. \u201cHe\u2019s an instinctive, rangy safety who can roll down into big nickel or robber positioning. He has a good feel for play design and route concepts in zone but has average change of direction to match breaks in man. He\u2019s not a big thumper near the line, but he rushes into the action with a relentless pursuit that should allow him to keep stacking high scores in the tackle columns.<\/p>\n \u201cThieneman checks important boxes for teams looking to add versatile playmakers in the secondary.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, the Bills are probably a safe trade-back target for the Bears if they want to move back without losing their shot at Thieneman. They signed veteran Geno Stone in free agency to become their new starter alongside Cole Bishop and also brought back Damar Hamlin on a new deal, giving them enough depth to ignore the spot in Round 1.<\/p>\n The big question is: Will Thieneman still be available when the Bears pick at No. 25?<\/p>\n Bears Figure to Target Safety Early in 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n The Bears could have Thieneman high on their draft board when the main event begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 23. But even if they miss out on the Oregon standout in the first round, they could still target a safety early in the draft \u2014 maybe even at No. 25.<\/p>\n Another safety who has been frequently mocked to the Bears in recent weeks is Toledo star Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who is taller (6-foot-3) but slower (4.52 seconds) and less versatile than Thieneman. McNeil-Warren is more of a traditional thumper in the strong safety role, fitting a similar mold to the Bears\u2019 former second-rounder, Brisker.<\/p>\n The problem with McNeil-Warren\u2019s fit with the Bears is that they could have just signed Brisker to a new contract if they wanted someone with a similar playing style to him. He also lacks the speed and versatility that would enable him to thrive in Allen\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n A first-round target is not the only solution for the Bears, though.<\/p>\n With two picks in the second round (Nos. 57 and 60), the Bears could hold out for one of the other safeties in the class, such as LSU\u2019s A.J. Haulcey or USC\u2019s Kamari Ramsey. Arizona\u2019s Treydan Stukes is also a potential option; although, he is more of a hybrid slot defender with upside as a safety than someone with heaps of deep-field experience.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tJordan J. Wilson<\/a> is a sports reporter who covers the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. He has previously covered all levels of sports \u2014 high school, college and pro \u2014 for a variety of publications including The Indianapolis Star, The News-Gazette, Springfield State-Journal Register and Peoria Journal Star. More about Jordan J. Wilson<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Bears\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty Bears general manager Ryan Poles. 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