CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears are no longer “building” for the future; they are protecting a throne. After an 11-6 campaign and an NFC North title in 2025, General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Ben Johnson are aggressive in the 2026 NFL Draft. A fresh PFF simulator run shows Chicago ignoring offensive flashy picks to prioritize a “downhill” defense that can stifle the elite NFC pass-catchers.
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Chicago raised eyebrows by signing safeties Cam Lewis and Coby Bryant in free agency, but the PFF simulator suggests they aren’t done. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is the pick at 25. Standing 6-foot-3 ½ and weighing 201 pounds, the Toledo product isn’t a finesse player. He is a hammer. While Lewis played just 38% of snaps for Buffalo last year, McNeil-Warren offers the range and size to play closer to the line of scrimmage. He is the physical enforcer this secondary lacked during the 2025 playoff run.
The defensive line remains the loudest concern in the Windy City. Beyond Montez Sweat, the depth chart looks thin. At Pick 57, the Bears snagged Derrick Moore from Michigan. The 255-pound edge rusher exploded for 10.0 sacks in 2025, more than his previous two years combined. He provides a violent bull rush that should take the double-team pressure off Sweat immediately.
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At Pick 60, the Bears addressed the hole left by the D.J. Moore trade. Bryce Lance out of North Dakota State brings a massive 6-foot-3 frame and 4.34 speed. He racked up 2,157 yards and 25 touchdowns over the last two years. While his route tree needs work, his raw traits alongside Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III make this offense terrifying for opposing coordinators.
“We established a standard last year. 11 wins is the floor now. We want guys who hit hard, run fast, and don’t blink when the game is on the line. This roster needs more teeth up front.”
— Ben Johnson, Bears Head Coach
Poles continued the defensive theme in the middle rounds. Keyron Crawford (Pick 89) is a raw speed rusher from Auburn who only started playing football late in high school. He adds a standup pass-rush element to Johnson’s 4-3 scheme. However, the most intriguing name might be Zxavian Harris at Pick 129. The Ole Miss defensive tackle is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds. He famously blocked six kicks in college, giving the Bears a special teams weapon and a pocket-collapsing interior presence.
The draft wrapped with two project players in Round 7: Duke’s Vincent Anthony Jr. and Illinois’ James Thompson Jr. Both offer size and length, fitting the physical profile Poles has favored throughout his tenure.
This draft class signals a shift in philosophy. By surrounding Caleb Williams with massive targets like Lance and Loveland, and doubling down on the pass rush, the Bears are preparing for a Super Bowl window. They won the North last year with grit and late-game heroics; they intend to win it in 2026 by dominating the trenches. The next step is the start of OTAs, where we will see how these rookies fit into Dennis Allen’s defensive rotations.
