Windy City Gridiron
WCG’s lead draft analyst shares his way-too-early predictions for the Bears’ 2026 draft haul.
Bears training camp hasn’t even started yet, which naturally makes it a perfect time to speculate about the 2026 NFL Draft.
I say this somewhat facetiously, seeing as though a lot will change between now and next April. However, NFL teams treat the draft as a year-round process, and in order to watch as many prospects and as much tape as possible, I do the same. It’s an easy way to kill the time in the dead period of the offseason.
It remains to be seen how the Bears will fare in 2025, but it’s easy to see on paper what the team’s strengths and weaknesses are. They should have a much improved team this coming year, but there’s always more work to be done.
Without further ado, here is my first Bears seven-round mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bears’ starting tandem of edge rushers seems set for 2025. However, Montez Sweat is coming off a down year, and Dayo Odeyingbo’s sack production was inconsistent during his time with the Colts. I’m not sold this will be their long-term duo rushing off the edge.
Rueben Bain Jr. is one of my favorite defensive prospects in the 2026 draft. He’s a physical defender at 6’3” and 275 pounds who has inside-outside versatility rushing the passer. His speed-to-power is impressive, as he uses his short-area quickness, muscular frame and deep pass-rushing arsenal to generate pressure off the edge.
As a run defender, he stands his ground with a strong anchor and above-average instincts setting the edge. He could stand to shed a few pounds to improve his spatial agility, but Bain has high-floor starting edge rusher written all over him.
T.J. Edwards seems to stick around for the long haul after his contract extension this year, but Tremaine Edmunds has an out in his contract next offseason. The Bears don’t have much proven talent behind them at linebacker, which could make it a need in 2026.
I get major Nick Bolton vibes when I watch Taurean York’s 2024 tape. He’s not the lengthiest linebacker, nor is he the most agile. That said, his intelligence and communication skills at the second level could make him an effective MIKE in the NFL. He processes quickly and takes precise pursuit angles as a run defender.
He’s strong, squatty and wraps up consistently at the point of attack. York has the potential to be a tackling machine at the next level.
The Bears have a weak running back room heading into the 2025 season. Luckily for them, they have deep free agency and draft classes to work with next offseason. Upgrading the position should be a priority in 2026.
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