2026 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears’ top need revealed

The Chicago Bears are focused on the Minnesota Vikings and their Week 1 Monday night game, but that doesn’t mean Bears fans can’t pass the time until kickoff by looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft.

April will be here before we know it, and with it comes another seven rounds of draft picks that will bring hope to Chicago. But unlike years past, this Bears team has a roster that feels like it’s ready to compete for the playoffs in 2025.

Indeed, the Bears are entering Year 1 of the Ben Johnson era, which means a learning curve is coming. Perhaps that learning curve will be too steep to qualify for the postseason this year, but Chicago is inching closer to that reality.

Adding a few quality starters at positions of need in the 2026 draft would help them get over the hump.

Let’s face it: the early returns on the 2025 NFL Draft — even without playing a single game yet — don’t look ideal. The Bears had three second-round picks last April; teams usually expect second-rounders to start.

For Chicago, all three of their second-round selections are slated to begin the 2025 season as backups: Ozzy Trapilo is a swing tackle, Luther Burden III is behind Olamide Zaccheaus, and Shemar Turner is buried behind a deep group of defensive tackles.

Sure, Burden will emerge at some point. Turner might, too. But the Bears must get returns from their early-round picks to become a legitimate contender.

According to a recent breakdown of Chicago’s biggest NFL Draft needs as a new season begins, Bears fans should expect some of those early-rounders to be in the secondary.

Chicago Bears’ top 2026 NFL Draft likely to feature defense in Round 1

Safety and cornerback ranked as the top two needs, with running back checking in as third. As for the top draft prospects who’d fill the Bears’ biggest need? Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman.

“While Thieneman isn’t Downs, he’s a talented defender who was shining in a difficult situation while at Purdue,” Bleacher Report’s Daniel Harms said. “Now in a winning environment and with a more talented defense, Thieneman can play all over for Oregon, including as a true deep-field defender. 

“He’s a willing tackler who showcases numerous examples of closing speed and range to make impact plays at every level. Thieneman could surprise people with how high he ultimately is drafted, even in relation to Downs in the same class.”

The Bears are staring down an offseason without a safety under contract. Both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are in the final year of their contracts, making safety a logical target in next year’s free agency and NFL Draft.

Don’t rule out edge rusher as the top priority, though. The Chicago Bears need a player to break out opposite Montez Sweat to knock the position group down their wish list. Hopefully, that guy will be Dayo Odeyingbo.