Round One

Pick #25

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

I started this mock thinking I could very well go offensive tackle with this pick, but lo and behold a dream scenario presented itself.

Let me be clear, I’d be shocked if Woods is on the board when the Bears pick in the first round, but if he is it’s a slam dunk pick. No need to overthink it, Woods is exactly what the Bears defensive line needs.

Woods is a top level run defender with plenty of juice as a pass rusher. His addition would transform one of the Bears biggest weaknesses into possibly the strength of their defense.

While I still think it’s unlikely that he’ll fall to 25, it is the time of year when one can dream.

Round Two

Pick #62

Kamari Ramsey, S, USC

The Bears have pick #57, but Denver offered a deal that I accepted. I moved down five spots and exchanged our fifth round pick for an early fourth rounder.

Edge rusher and offensive tackle were considerations here, but the Bears also have a need at safety with both 2025 starters, Kevin Byard & Jaquan Brisker, slated to hit free agency.

Ramsey is an excellent coverage safety with the versatility and athleticism to play nickel corner, as well. He’s also a willing run defender but he needs to improve his tackling.

Ramsey should be able to step into a starting role on the Bears defense.

Round Three

Pick #89

Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern

The Bears need at left tackle is acute due to the injury to Ozzy Trapilo, who will likely miss most of the 2026 season. I don’t believe the Bears starting left tackle is currently on the roster, they could address this in free agency, but that gets rather pricey.

Banking on a rookie to man the blindside is a gamble, especially for one not taken in the first round, but Tiernan has an incredibly high floor for a third round prospect.

While he’s not an elite athlete by any stretch, Tiernan is technically proficient and well refined. He shouldn’t need a lengthy adjustment to the NFL.

Round Four

Pick #112

Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

I acquired pick #108 in an earlier trade with Denver, I flipped that to Dallas in exchange for #112 & a fifth round pick (#177).

Everyone is well aware of the Bears need for pass rushers and Penn State has produced some good ones in recent years. While Dennis-Sutton isn’t on the level of Micah Parsons & Abdul Carter, he does have plenty to like about him.

His size and strength make him a plus run defender off the edge and a good power rusher in the passing game. He should be able to carve out a role as a rotational piece on the Bears defensive line.

Pick #134

Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

I traded pick #129 and one of the Bears seventh rounders (#240) to Las Vegas for this pick and another fifth rounder (#174).

Tremaine Edmunds will almost certainly not be back in 2026 and TJ Edwards might not be ready for the start of the season. The Bears could address linebacker in free agency, but I still think it’s likely they grab one in the draft, as well.

Louis is undersized by NFL linebacker standards, but I love the way he plays. He has the coverage skills of a safety and if he can bulk up a little without sacrificing that athleticism, Louis could be a day three gem for the Bears.

Round Five

Pick #174

Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

I traded away the Bears original fifth round pick (#163) earlier, but acquired two more fifth rounders in subsequent trades. This pick came from Las Vegas.

The Bears have a low key need at cornerback because Nahshon Wright probably priced himself out of Chicago, Tyrique Stevenson is on his last leg, if he hasn’t already worn out his welcome. Terrell Smith is coming off a torn ACL and no one knows what to expect from Zah Frazier. Also, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Jaylon Johnson becomes a cap casualty. At the very least, the Bears need depth.

Prysock has the length that will remind us of Wright, though his ball skills need a little work. His length and athleticism make him an enticing prospect in the fifth round.

Pick #177

Sam Roush, TE, Stanford

This is the pick I acquired from Dallas.

It’s not a need, by any stretch, but Ben Johnson does love his tight ends. Roush was also the best player available at this spot.

While he doesn’t represent a threat to Cole Kmet or Colston Loveland in the pecking order, he does challenge Durham Smythe for that third tight end role.

Roush is a decent blocker and has seam splitting athleticism that could help him develop into an eventual replacement for Kmet.

Round Seven

Pick #242

De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss

The Bears are pretty set at receiver, even if they end up trading DJ Moore, but they could stand to add some depth.

Stribling is a prototypical X receiver with his size, strength & athleticism. He’s not a burner, but his long strides still make him a decent deep ball threat.

Stribling is a pretty good prospect for a seventh round pick.