NFL draft 2026 best available players for Chicago Bears: Gracen Halton, Bryce Boettcher

Posted April 24, 2026 11:16 pm

By Kevin Fishbain

The position that seemingly everyone slotted to the Chicago Bears early in their mock drafts so far has been ignored.

General manager Ryan Poles made three selections in the NFL draft on Friday night, all on the offensive side of the ball. No defensive ends, no defensive tackles — no additions to help a defense that couldn’t stop the run or rush the passer effectively in 2025.

This could be a similar, albeit more heightened, situation to last year, when the Bears seemed to be a player for running back but no one lined up until they took Kyle Monangai in Round 7, putting faith in D’Andre Swift. That worked out.

As we head into Day 3, the Bears added another pick, a fifth-rounder from Tennessee when they moved from No. 60 to 69. That gives them one extra shot to find help up front on defense.

However, anything goes on Day 3, especially in the late rounds. Positional needs can go out the window as the hit rate goes down. As of now, after picks Nos. 129 and 144, the Bears have a long wait before two seventh-rounders.

We’re looking for players whose scouting reports include traits that mesh with Poles and Johnson. Play style is important. Being fanatical about football helps. And then on defense, we know that length and speed appeal to Allen. This list is organized by position, leaving out safety, center and tight end, and also includes players who have appeared in our mock drafts and Dane Brugler’s seven-round mock draft, as well as a few who took pre-draft visits to Halas Hall. Those in Brugler’s top 100 have their ranking listed.

Defensive end

The Bears have been publicly positive about Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner, both of whom are returning from season-ending injuries. And Austin Booker had a promising second season. But this is a premium position, and the Bears struggled to consistently get after the passer in 2025.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (No. 60)

Caden Curry, Ohio State

Max Llewellyn, Iowa

Logan Fano, Utah

Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern

Defensive tackle

Only three teams allowed more yards per carry last season (5.00) than the Bears, who were 27th overall in run defense. Finding someone to rotate with Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter and Neville Gallimore — while also being the future of the interior — could be a priority on Day 3.

Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

Rayshaun Benny, Michigan

Anterio Thompson, Washington

David Gusta, Kentucky

Offensive tackle

The Bears have five offensive tackles, but you can never have enough. Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills are on one-year deals, and we don’t know what to expect from Ozzy Trapilo when he can return from his patellar tendon injury.

Travis Burke, Memphis (No. 79)

Diego Pounds, Ole Miss

Jude Bowry, Boston College

Enrique Cruz Jr., Kansas (Willowbrook High School)

Cornerback

Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has his starters if the season began tomorrow, and few would gripe about the Jaylon Johnson-Tyrique Stevenson-Kyler Gordon trio, but what about the future? Or an upgrade as the No. 4? McCoy did visit Halas Hall. Obviously, the medicals aren’t good, but would the Bears’ doctors OK taking him in Rounds 4 or 5?

Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (No. 14)

Malik Muhammad, Texas (No. 87)

Ephesians Prysock, Washington

Hezekiah Masses, California

Domani Jackson, Arizona State

Linebacker

The Bears have their top four linebackers (T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, D’Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn), but, like offensive tackle, do they have the guy who can be a fixture for the long haul? And they can always upgrade special teams. They hosted several linebackers for 30 visits, a possible indication they were doing their due diligence at a position they covet in the draft.

Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State (No. 83)

Bryce Boettcher, Oregon

Jimmy Rolder, Michigan

Justin Jefferson, Alabama

Wade Woodaz, Clemson

Running back

Swift is in the last year of his contract, and we know how much Johnson values a strong running game. After finding Monangai in Round 7 last year, the Bears could trust their scouting to find someone on Day 3.

Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas (No. 85)

Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M

Seth McGowan, Kentucky

Roman Hemby, Indiana

Eli Heidenreich, Navy

Guard

The Bears could build some depth alongside Luke Newman behind veteran starters whose contracts run through 2027. They hosted a few interior linemen at Halas Hall for pre-draft visits.

Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma

Beau Stephens, Iowa

Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern

Jager Burton, Kentucky

Wide receiver

The Bears don’t have a big need here, especially after using a third-round pick on Zavion Thomas, but it’s a premium position and one of those you-can-never-have-enough spots.

Elijah Sirratt, Indiana (No. 69)

Bryce Lance, North Dakota State (No. 90)

J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida

Lewis Bond, Boston College