The Chicago Bears’ plans for the 2026 NFL Draft remain a mystery to anyone not privy to access behind closed doors at Halas Hall.
That much is clear based on the takes about which direction they could go in Round 1.
If there is a consensus, it is that the Bears need help in the trenches on both sides of the football. The good news is that they should be able to fill their top needs on offense and defense in the first two rounds. General manager Ryan Poles has been wont to do just that in the past.
Bears Mock Draft Roundup Reveals Strong Perception
Akheem Mesidor, Caleb Lomu Most Popular Projected Bears Draft Picks
In evaluating 10 final mocks from the top beat writers, draft analysts, and insiders, all but one selected a player in the trenches.
From that group, there was a 5-4 advantage for edge rushers over offensive linemen. The most popular pick, though, was a tie. Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor of Miami, who made the cut despite age, injury, and fit concerns, was one. Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu was the other.
“There is always room for a high-motor defender with pass-rush skills on a Dennis Allen-coached defense,” NFL.com analyst and former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks wrote on April 21. “Mesidor is an aggressive edge with violent hands and a relentless spirit that overwhelms opponents at the point of attack.”
The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain also chose Mesidor, despite the red flags.
“The Bears are in win-now mode, so I’m not too concerned about Mesidor’s age (25), especially considering his prolific production in college — 12.5 sacks last season and 35.5 in his career. With Dayo Odeyingbo coming off an Achilles injury and Shemar Turner recovering from an ACL tear, the Bears — who finished 21st in sacks per pass last season — could use a force off the edge,” Fishbain wrote on April 22.
“The Bears were also among the worst teams in stopping the run last season. Enter Mesidor, who ‘sets a sturdy edge to restrict outside runs[, per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler].’”
As for Lomu…
“Offseason speculation has centered around the Bears going after an edge rusher or safety here, but my conversations with league sources throughout the past week kept going back to left tackle,” ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote on April 22.
“Ozzy Trapilo played well in six starts before suffering a season-ending knee injury that is expected to keep him out in 2026. That opens the door for a left tackle to be picked if one is available. At only 21 years old, Lomu is a two-year starter who is plug-and-play ready on the blindside.”
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Lomu is an increasingly popular name in league chatter.
“They need a left tackle and Lomu might have the best athletic ability of any of them,” CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco wrote on April 21. “He needs to add more bulk, which he can do.”
Bears Could Have Options on O-Line
Two other O-linemen, both left tackle prospects, garnered speculative selections in the mocks Clocker Sports parsed through. That was Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor and Clemson’s Blake Miller.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin projected the Bears would select Proctor in a site-wide exercise.
“Chicago had the best pass-blocking unit last season, but there’s uncertainty at left tackle because of Ozzy Trapilo’s knee injury. Despite being a rookie, Proctor would shoot to the top of the list of options to start day one,” Cronin wrote on April 21. “Whenever Trapilo is able to return, the Bears would have the option to move Proctor inside to guard.”
Fox Sports’ Rob Rang selected Miller for the Bears. Rang also cited the uncertainty the Bears face with Trapilo next season and beyond.
“Miller started 54 games in four seasons at Clemson,” Rang wrote on April 22. “Though 52 of those were at right tackle, I think his surprising agility at 6-foot-7, 317 pounds, projects quite well to the left side, as well.”
Bears Need EDGE Rushing Help
Behind questions around protecting Caleb Williams’ blindside, the Bears’ need to affect opposing QBs more next season was clear in the mock projections. ESPN’s Peter Schrager locked in Clemson’s T.J. Parker after previously choosing Proctor.
“Edge is a big need for Chicago,” Schrager wrote on April 22. “The Bears have to find someone to create pressure opposite Montez Sweat. We might see a little push for edge rushers at the end of Round 1, and Chicago could land Parker with the hope that he gets back to his 11-sack production of 2024 (he had five in 2025).”
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah selected Auburn’s Keldric Faulk. He has been cited as a strong fit and compares favorably to some current base ends in the league.
However, he lacks sack production.
“I’ve had a couple people around the league tell me Faulk is a good scheme fit for Dennis Allen’s defense,” Jeremiah wrote on April 22. “He can play on the edge but also has the ability to rush from inside if needed.”
Defense Still Dominates in One-Offs
The Bears ranked sixth in total offense in 2025. However, their defense finished 29th. Naturally, then, there was a 6-4 edge on the latter side of the ball in final mock draft projections.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm did at least stick to the themes along the D-line and with Clemson.
“I think GM Ryan Poles will work the phones for a move down,” Edholm wrote on April 20, “but Woods fits the need for an inside penetrator — and I am sure Ben Johnson can find a use for him on offense, as well.”
The only non-trench player in the mock drafts scanned was Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. He has seen his draft stock slide while being pigeonholed as a box option.
“Safeties Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all left Chicago in free agency,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote on April 22. “While the Bears did sign Coby Bryant, he needs a partner at the position. McNeil-Warren is a thumper with spectacular size and the ability to align in a variety of spots.”
Notably, Faulk and McNeil-Warren have certainly garnered attention as potential fits in other mocks.
A greater sample size would skew the final counts. Still, the vision is clear for the Bears’ draft in the eyes of those on the outside looking in. They must address the trenches early and, if possible, often.
