CHICAGO — Ryan Poles is playing the long game. The Chicago Bears just wrapped up the final stage of free agency by bringing back cornerback Jaylon Jones and linebacker Jack Sanborn on one-year deals. While these moves keep the floor stable, the 2026 NFL Draft remains the only way to raise the ceiling. With the 25th overall pick and two second-round selections at 57 and 60, the Bears must find immediate depth to survive the brutal NFC North winters.
You could see the breath of the fans in the January air when Chicago clinched the North last season. The stadium shook as the clock hit zero during that playoff run, but the roster’s thin spots were exposed in the Divisional Round. Chicago doesn’t need three superstars; they need three hammers who can step into the rotation and keep the engine running when the starters inevitably bruise.
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
If the Bears want a defender who hunts with a refined violence, Malachi Lawrence is the answer. Lawrence finished the 2025 season as a first-team All-Big 12 selection, and the numbers don’t lie. He recorded 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss last year alone, bringing his collegiate total to 20 sacks. PFF gave him an elite 89.5 pass-rush grade, ranking him 33rd among all qualified edge defenders.
Lawrence doesn’t just run around blocks; he collapses them. Chicago’s defensive front felt the sting of attrition by October last season. Adding a player who produced 5 or more sacks in three consecutive FBS seasons ensures Matt Eberflus can rotate his line without losing pressure. He disrupts the backfield on early downs and possesses the experience to avoid the typical “project player” label.
Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
The Bears’ offensive line looked like a fortress at times last year, but interior stability remains a concern. Sam Hecht is a technical machine. He started 25 straight games at Kansas State and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. The most staggering stat? Hecht played 759 offensive snaps last season without a single accepted penalty.
He anchored a unit that allowed only 1.08 sacks per game, a top-10 mark nationally. Hecht understands leverage and communication. He won’t be the loudest name called on draft night, but he ensures the middle of the pocket doesn’t turn into a chaotic mess. This move isn’t about finding a Day 1 starter; it’s about making sure the entire offensive plan isn’t fragile when injuries strike in November.
Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma
Gracen Halton is the “angry” interior defender this defense lacks. At 6 feet 2 inches and 292 pounds, he isn’t a massive space-eater. Instead, he moves with a quickness that catches guards leaning. In 2025, Halton logged 3.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He even scooped up a fumble for a touchdown, proving his nose for the ball.
Halton complicates the offense’s launch points. By penetrating the A-gap, he forces quarterbacks toward the edge rushers. It’s a selfless role that makes everyone else look better. For a team that relies on disciplined “HITS” principles, Halton is a logical mid-round target who can bolster a defensive line rotation that was gapped during the final weeks of 2025.
“We like guys who have a high motor and the stats to back it up. Depth isn’t a luxury in this league; it’s a requirement if you plan on playing in January.”
— Matt Eberflus, Bears Head Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Chicago holds seven picks but faces a massive 100-selection gap between picks 129 and 239. This puts immense pressure on Ryan Poles to hit on his mid-round targets. If the Bears secure Lawrence or Hecht, they insulate themselves against the injuries that derailed their Super Bowl aspirations last year. Expect the Bears to be active on the phones to potentially trade back and fill the void in the fifth and sixth rounds. The goal is clear: build a roster that doesn’t just reach the playoffs but dominates them.
