In years past, when I did the perfect Bears mock draft, it was rather easy because I had a pretty good idea what the Bears were going to do in the first round. I might not have had the exact player, but I knew the position.

This year is different. Maybe it’s because the Bears aren’t picking anywhere near the top ten, so it’s hard to zero in on one or two specific players.

The fact is, the Bears can go in several different directions with their first pick, so I felt the need to do different versions of the “perfect “ draft.

Scenario 1

The Bears Get Lucky

In this scenario, the one player that I think is a perfect fit, no brainer pick, is available when the Bears go on the clock at pick #25.

Round 1, Pick #25

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The possibility of this happening is slim. I think Thieneman will be long gone by the time the Bears go on the clock, but I have seen mock drafts by well respected pundits that have him still on the board, so there is a chance.

Thieneman is a perfect fit. Versatile and athletic. He’d give Dennis Allen and Al Harris another chess piece to play with in the Bears secondary. He’s the only player, barring even bigger miracles, that could be on the board at 25 that would make me not even consider trading down.

Bears trade pick #57 to Philadelphia in exchange for picks #68, #114 & 2027 Sixth.

The Bears only have 7 picks in this draft, so it is imperative that they add more. Keeping their first round pick increases the likelihood that one of their two second rounders gets dealt. Honestly, I think this is possible no matter what happens in the first, since these two picks are so close together. Good opportunity to add some early day three capital.

Round 2, Pick #60

Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

Jacas isn’t an elite athlete. Nothing he does jumps out as being particularly elite, but he’s a relentless, tough & physical player that will leave opposing offensive players knowing they’ve been in a war. He will never lead the league in sacks, but he’ll be a very solid addition to the Bears defensive front.

Round 3, Pick #68

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

Can’t pass up the value here. Fields doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s a very good route runner and excels at contested catches. Another weapon for Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams, that should steal a few, much needed, completions for Williams.

Round 3, Pick #89

Brian Parker II, IOL, Duke

The Bears could announce him as a guard or tackle, but Parker really is their future starting center. He has the positional versatility to offer depth all across the offensive line while he hones his craft at the pivot.

Round 4, Pick #114

LT Overton, DT, Alabama

The Bears love versatility on their defense and Overton offers that. He has the ability to line up anywhere on the defensive line, from edge to nose tackle. Probably best suited as a 3 tech, but Dennis Allen will use him multiple ways.

Bears trade picks #129 & 241 to Tennessee in exchange for picks #142 & 184.

This move gives the Bears picks in the fifth and sixth rounds. Since there was no one on the board at #129 that I felt like the Bears needed to have, I made the deal.

Bears trade pick #142 to Washington in exchange for picks #147 & 209.

Bears flip their recently acquired fifth rounder to Washington, who wanted to get ahead of division rival NY. They added an extra sixth rounder.

Round 5, Pick #147

Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

Thought the Bears might target a corner earlier, but the board didn’t cooperate. Everette is a pretty good get in the fifth round. He’s a sturdy, well built player that is faster than he sometimes appears. With good coaching, he could become a solid starter.

Round 6, Pick #184

Ahmaad Moses, S, SMU

Moses lacks the length to be a deep safety, but he offers depth as a box safety and nickel corner. He also adds special teams value, which is important in the later rounds.

Round 6, Pick #209

Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

Heidenreich is a Swiss Army knife for Ben Johnson’s offense. He offers depth in the running back room and as a slot receiver. Not the greatest athlete, but his toughness and mentality makes up for it.

Round 7, Pick #239

Isaiah World, OT, Oregon

Bears won’t get much out of World during his rookie season, as he’s recovering from a torn ACL, but he’s got tremendous upside for a seventh round pick.

Scenario 2

Trading Down in the First

In this scenario, that one perfect fit is gone and the Bears move down the board instead of deciding between imperfect fits.

Bears trade pick #25 to Las Vegas in exchange for picks #36 & 67.

Oregon safety, Dillon Thieneman, is off the board, so the Bears are open for business. Vegas wants to jump ahead of a few teams to land a stud offensive tackle to protect their new franchise QB, so they overpay a bit and the Bears benefit.

Round 2, Pick #36

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

I’ll be honest, I’d consider Johnson at #25, too. He’s vaulted up my rankings, I have him as my #3 corner, behind LSU’s Mansoor Delane & Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy.

Johnson has flawless technique and discipline with the speed and versatility that the Bears should love. He’ll lock down the CB2 position and vastly improve the Bears pass defense.

Round 2, Pick #57

AJ Haulcy, S, LSU

The Bears finish revamping their secondary with this pick. Haulcy is a bigger safety that will complement free agent signee, Coby Bryant. More of a box safety thumper, Haulcy does have the versatility for coverage, as well.

Bears trade pick #60 to Cleveland in exchange for picks #70 & 107.

As I stated in Scenario 1, I think it’s highly likely that the Bears trade one of their two second rounders, regardless of what happens in the first round, to add some more draft capital.

The Bears now have three third round picks and two fourth rounders.

Round 3, Pick #67

Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

I’m not sure the Bears would target a center this early, and I’m not sure if Hecht makes it to round three, but I would love this pick.

Hecht is, hands down, the top center in the class, in my opinion. He’d challenge Garrett Bradbury for the starting role immediately and he’d anchor the Bears offensive line for the next decade.

Bears trade pick #70 to Baltimore in exchange for picks #80 & #115.

Just keep adding draft capital. Bears now have three fourth rounders.

Round 3, Pick #80

De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss

Can’t afford to wait any longer on a player that I think Ben Johnson has to absolutely love. Big, fast receiver that can win at all levels of the defense. The best part? Stribling is the best blocking receiver in the class. No block, no rock.

Round 3, Pick #89

Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

DDS has ideal size and length for a Bears defensive end. He’s an excellent run defender and edge setter, though a bit one dimensional as a pass rusher. There are better pass rushers available, but I think Dennis Allen will love DDS.

Round 4, Pick #107

Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State

Had to start off Day Three with a bang. Critics point out Singleton’s lack of vision, but he has elite home run speed and receiving skills. Sounds a bit like D’Andre Swift, only much, much faster.

Round 4, Pick #115

LT Overton, DT, Alabama

I spoke about Overton in Scenario 1, it’s the versatility that attracts me and I believe will attract the Bears.

Bears trade picks #129 & 239 to NY Giants in exchange for picks #145 & 193.

Bears drop down into the fifth round to turn one of their seventh rounders into a sixth.

Round 5, Pick #145

Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama

Cuevas fills that Durham Smythe, blocking tight end role, with more receiving upside.

Round 6, Pick #193

Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech

More depth for the secondary and special teams value.

Round 7, Pick #241

Isaiah World, OT, Oregon

Just like in Scenario 1, the Bears take a seventh round flyer on an injured offensive tackle with tremendous upside.

Scenario 3

Stick and Pick

In this scenario, that one perfect fit is gone and the Bears can’t find an acceptable trade down, so they stay at #25 and take the top player on their board, or in this case, my board.

Round 1, Pick #25

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Woods’ stock has been slipping, not only am I now sure he’ll be on the board when the Bears go on the clock, some are projecting him to fall into the second round. I’m beginning to wonder if the Bears might actually have a shot at him with the 57th pick.

That’s the thing, I still like him and I think he’s a great fit for the Bears. 2025 was a down year for him, and apparently he didn’t test well at his Pro Day, but watch the 2024 tape. Peter Woods is an explosive, athletic disruptor on the defensive line. Stout against the run and with some pass rushing juice.

Bears trade pick #57 to Arizona in exchange for picks #65 & 143.

As I stated in the two previous scenarios, I feel it’s very likely that the Bears move one of their second rounders to add some more picks. Here they get a fifth rounder from Arizona.

Round 2, Pick #60

Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

I was deciding between a corner and a safety with this pick, I went with Muhammad because I think I can still get a quality safety later, whereas the corners start taking a drop off.

Muhammad has excellent length and speed. Great technique in man to man coverage. Needs to add some muscle mass to compete with bigger, more physical receivers.

Round 3, Pick #65

Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona

Great football IQ and character. Versatile player, some may view him as a corner, but the Bears will use him mainly at safety.

He’s an older prospect, with an ACL injury on his resume, which gives me pause, but I think the talent and passion will outweigh that.

Bears trade pick #89 to Philadelphia in exchange for picks #98 & 137.

Bears add another fourth round pick to move down nine spots.

Round 3, Pick #98

Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State

The trade down from #89 cost the Bears a shot at De’Zhaun Stribling, who I think is their preferred target. Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II was available, but there’s character concerns, so I think the Bears will pass. I settled on Thompson.

Thompson is pure speed. Vastly undersized, so his usage will be limited, but he’ll strike fear in defensive secondaries every time he steps onto the field.

Round 4, Pick #129

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

Bears get their future starting center. Slaughter is a highly intelligent player that makes up for lacking athleticism with his football IQ and awareness. Could stand to add some muscle mass to his frame.

Round 4, Pick #137

Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee

He’s a little undersized, by Dennis Allen standards, but Josephs has the frame to bulk up. He’s got ideal length to be an edge setting defensive end for the Bears. Pass rush needs refinement.

Round 5, Pick #143

Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College

Excellent athlete for his size. Has shown inconsistency, but his highs show the tantalizing upside. Developmental tackle that could be the swing tackle or possibly starting left tackle, eventually, if Ozzy Trapilo can’t return to form after his injury.

Round 7, Pick #239

Eric McAllister, WR, TCU

More speed for the Bears offense. McAllister is just a deep vertical threat at this point, but coaching could develop him into a more complete receiver.

Round 7, Pick #241

DJ Rogers, TE, TCU

Still developing tight end prospect. Has shown the strength to be a competent blocker and the speed to be a threat in the passing game.