NFL draft 2026 best available players for Chicago Bears: Lee Hunter, De’Zhaun Stribling

Posted April 24, 2026 10:27 am

By Kevin Fishbain

The Chicago Bears exited the first night of the NFL draft with a starting safety in Dillon Thieneman. They have three chances in a 32-pick span to keep adding playmakers to the defense, and they could also add to coach Ben Johnson’s offense.

Several players who were popular mock draft picks for the Bears at No. 25 remain on the board — edge rushers T.J. Parker and Zion Young and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. Based on a variety of draft rankings, it seems unlikely that any of them would get to No. 57, but the Bears do have the extra second-round pick if they want to get aggressive and move around.

The depth of the defensive end class should help the Bears find an impact pass rusher on Day 2, and if the board doesn’t fall that way, they would have to rely on their returning players to ascend.

A few of the top players remaining on Dane Brugler’s board play cornerback, an underrated position that could be in play as early as the second round.

Here’s an updated big board for Day 2 of the draft, organized by position and with the player rankings from Brugler’s draft guide, “The Beast.”

Round 2, Nos. 57 and 60; Round 3, No. 89

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.

T.J. Parker, Clemson (No. 31)

Zion Young, Missouri (No. 37)

Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (No. 39)

R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma (No. 44)

Gabe Jacas, Illinois (No. 49)

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

NFL Draft 2026 best available players for Chicago Bears: Lee Hunter, De’Zhaun Stribling - The Athletic

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 2.

Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (No. 32)

Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (No. 55)

Domonique Orange, Iowa State (No. 64)

Offensive tackle

The Bears have five offensive tackles, but do they have their guy for the long term? Johnson said he doesn’t have that answer. If they want to keep adding competition for Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills, Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie, they could do so on Day 2.

Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (No. 65)

Travis Burke, Memphis (No. 79)

Markel Bell, Miami (Fla.) (No. 97)

Cornerback

Cornerback can’t be ruled out. 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?

Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (No. 14)

Avieon Terrell, Clemson (No. 27)

Colton Hood, Tennessee (No. 30)

D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana (No. 38)

Treydan Stukes, Arizona (No. 56)

Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (No. 68)

Malik Muhammad, Texas (No. 87)

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? The Bears hosted several linebackers for 30 visits, a possible indication they were doing their due diligence at a position they covet in the draft.

Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (No. 40)

CJ Allen, Georgia (No. 46)

Jake Golday, Cincinnati (No. 48)

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (No. 50)

Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State (No. 83)

Wide receiver

It may be a premium to use a first-round pick on a wideout to join Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, but with an opening at the No. 3 spot, Rounds 2-3 could be a sweet spot — especially for an offensive head coach.

Chris Bell, Louisville (No. 47)

Malachi Fields, Notre Dame (No. 58)

Antonio Williams, Clemson (No. 59)

De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss (No. 67)

Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (No. 69)

Bryce Lance, North Dakota State (No. 90)

Center

As Friday night gets to Round 3, that could be the prime range to find a center to take over in 2027, as Garrett Bradbury is on the last year of his contract. Three are ranked right around the Bears’ pick on Brugler’s board, all of whom have qualities that should appeal to Johnson and Poles.

Jake Slaughter, Florida (No. 89)

Sam Hecht, Kansas State (No. 92)

Logan Jones, Iowa (No. 95)

Running back

D’Andre Swift is in the last year of his contract, and we know how much Johnson values a strong running game. After finding Kyle 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 (No. 105)

Day 3 prospects

Anything goes on Day 3, especially in the late rounds. Positional needs can go out the window as the hit rate goes down. The Bears have a fourth-round pick (No. 129) and then two seventh-rounders, so barring any movement, it’ll be a long Saturday between picks.

We’ll add two more positions to the big board — guard, a spot where the Bears could build some depth alongside Luke Newman behind the veteran starters. They hosted a few guards on visits at Halas Hall. And then there’s tight end, where they could use a No. 3, and it’s a deep draft at the position.

As far as the other positions go, 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 and also includes players who have appeared in our mock drafts and Brugler’s seven-round mock.

Edge

Caden Curry, Ohio State

Max Llewellyn, Iowa

Logan Fano, Utah

Defensive tackle

Rayshaun Benny, Michigan

Anterio Thompson, Washington

David Gusta, Kentucky

Cornerback

Ephesians Prysock, Washington

Hezekiah Masses, California

Domani Jackson, Arizona State

Linebacker

Bryce Boettcher, Oregon

Jimmy Rolder, Michigan

Justin Jefferson, Alabama

Wade Woodaz, Clemson

Guard

Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma

Beau Stephens, Iowa

Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern

Jager Burton, Kentucky

Running back

Kaelon Black, Indiana

Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M

Seth McGowan, Kentucky

Roman Hemby, Indiana

Tight end

Sam Roush, Stanford

Will Kacmarek, Ohio State

Tanner Koziol, Houston