The Chicago Bears got an up-close look at an impressive, if polarizing, playmaker and his equally intriguing teammate on Monday, with general manager Ryan Poles in attendance for the University of Miami Hurricanes’ pro day.
Edge defenders Akheem Mesidor and Reuben Bain Jr. both delivered on the hype.
Given the Bears’ need, Poles’ presence at the event hardly went unnoticed and looms large as the 2026 NFL Draft draws near.
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Bain was the headliner, projected to land somewhere in the top 10 of April’s draft, while Mesidor could be available when Poles and the Bears go on the clock at 25th overall. He could even be there if they trade back a few spots.
Bain stood on his polarizing combine measurements, with him and Mesidor declining to do any combine-like testing.
They did positional drills, though, and wowed in several different facets.
Per ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe in a post on X on March 23, “100+ NFL personnel” were in attendance for Miami’s pro day, where Bain and Mesidor shined, with Poles among the notable higher-ups on hand.
The Bears tied for the fifth-fewest sacks during the 2025 regular season, and could do their revamped secondary a tremendous favor by getting after the passer more in 2026.
Chicago Hurricanes
Bain is a shorter prospect, which adds to the supposed concerns about his shorter-than-ideal arm length. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to two-time Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham.
“Note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength. Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. He plays through tight ends and can anchor against tackles and double teams. However, his lack of length can lead to him being smothered if he doesn’t land the first strike,” Zierlein wrote of Bain in his pre-draft profile.
“Can bend and flip his hips at the top of the rush, swipe away punches and generate a strong bull rush. His playoff run showed an ability to generate quick wins if tackles are passive in setting to him. He can rush off the edge or mismatch guards as a sub-package rusher. Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.”
Mesidor checks in at 6-foot-3, still undersized, but bigger than Bain.
Whether he has enough size to play the edge for Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is another question entirely.
“An instinctive, high-effort edge rusher with a fluid rush style and a deep toolbox. He bursts upfield and can shrink the corner while punishing oversetting tackles with inside counters. He strings moves together with effortless mid-rush adjustments, utilizing harmonious hands and feet to carve efficient tracks into the pocket. He’s a problem for guards when reduced inside, too. His urgency shows up in run defense, where he uses play strength and short-area quickness to disrupt blocking schemes and stay around the football,” Zierlein wrote.
“Won’t be as long as most edge-setters and his anchor at the point is just average. The talent and motor are obvious, but his age and injury history could push some teams to discount his grade below what the tape shows.”
Bears Get Eyes on Speedy DB
While Bain and Mesidor drew a lot of attention, Wolfe reported on another standout at a different position of need, cornerback Keionte Scott. Scott, per Wolfe, generated “A lot of NFL scout buzz” with his 4.33 40-yard dash time.
The Bears have tapped into the Miami pipeline under Poles before. They drafted former (and presumed 2026) starter Tyrique Stevenson in the second round in 2023.
Zierlein compared the 5-foot-11 Scott to Los Angeles Chargers DB Elijah Molden.
“Scott’s play style and tackle production resemble that of a Will linebacker. He’s edgy and urgent near the line with an ability to slip or play off of blocks. He can snuff out run plays before they get started,” Zierlein said in his evaluation.
“Lacks ball production due to inconsistent break anticipation and route squeeze, but he can twitch-and-trigger to close windows, wrap and finish. He keeps yards after contact to a minimum. Scott’s blitz talent off the edge makes him a value-added rusher. He’s an older prospect and needs to play in a scheme that allows him to keep his eyes forward, but Scott’s football character should make him a team favorite as a starting nickelback.”
The Bears let starting safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard walk in free agency. They signed Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis as presumed replacements.
Scott could be an option for Poles and the Bears to at least compete, if not outright usurp, the latter.