2026 NFL Mock Draft continues early theme for Chicago Bears in first round

The 2025 NFL season kicks off in just over four weeks, and when it does, we’ll slowly learn which positions will rank atop the Chicago Bears‘ 2026 NFL draft board.

As it currently stands, the position that is the most likely to be GM Ryan Poles’ first-round contender is edge rusher, but don’t dismiss the possibility of an interior defensive lineman or even a running back, depending on how the 2025 season shakes out.

But there’s another logical need-area that might actually be the biggest on the Bears’ roster when the calendar flips to 2026: safety.

Both Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard are playing the 2025 season on expiring contracts. Brisker’s history of concussions makes him a risky long-term contract option, while Byard, 31, is getting long in the tooth.

It’s why the latest 2026 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Sports Network has the Chicago Bears snagging a quality safety prospect at No. 16 overall.

“As of this writing, the Chicago Bears don’t have any safeties under contract past 2025,” PFSN’s Jacob Infante wrote. “Kevin Byard turns 32 in August, and Jaquan Brisker has a history of concussions. There’s a strong chance they’ll need at least one new starter at safety next offseason.

“Dillon Thieneman’s production dipped in 2024, but his transfer to Oregon could help him return to form. As a freshman at Purdue, he had six interceptions and showed elite range. He projects as a rangy, high-upside free safety with playmaker potential.”

Thieneman appeared in 24 games over the last two seasons for Purdue, totaling 144 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and six interceptions — all six were recorded during his freshman season in 2023.

Indeed, Thieneman must return to that level of ball production to maintain his first-round grade, and with more national exposure as part of the Oregon Ducks defense, he won’t have any shortage of attention as the run-up to the 2026 NFL Draft unfolds.