Bears land pass-rush upside in latest ESPN 2026 NFL mock draft

The Chicago Bears’ defense hasn’t lived up to expectations under coordinator Dennis Allen so far in 2025. Sure, they’ve been OK, but for this team to be a legitimate playoff contender, the Bears’ defense must elevate its level of play.

Entering Week 7’s game against the New Orleans Saints, the Bears’ defense ranks 27th in points allowed per game (28.2), 31st in rushing yards allowed per game (156.4), and 25th in sacks per game (1.6).

And it’s that last category — QB sacks — that gets a boost in ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft.

NFL draft expert Jordan Reid authored this first-round mock, and he sent the Bears T.J. Parker, Clemson’s outstanding edge defender.

“The Bears have struggled to generate a pass rush this season, as their team pass rush win rate of 28.2% is 30th in the NFL,” wrote Reid. “They need impactful rushers off the edge, and Parker is a power-based rusher with strong hands and a good initial burst. He has also been productive, with 18.5 career sacks — including 11 in 2024.”

The Bears are currently slotted to select 17th overall in the first round, which is right around the cut-off for playoff teams. Let’s be honest, it’s actually nice to see a mock draft with Chicago selecting so late.

Parker is the kind of prospect who should be available in that first-round range, although pass rushers tend to get pushed up the first-round order. His lack of production this season — he only has two sacks; he finished 2024 with 11 — is a red flag, especially if he doesn’t get hot down the stretch. But that 2024 season could still be enough to maintain a mid-first-round grade.

Edge rusher will be a Bears 2026 NFL Draft priority

The Bears’ current depth chart of pass rushers is headlined by Montez Sweat, who, despite only having one sack through five games, continues to generate pressure and remains Chicago’s most consistent edge presence. Opposite Sweat is Dayo Odeyingbo, who is more of a well-rounded, three-down defender than he is a pass-rush artist. Austin Booker should make his 2025 season debut against the Saints, and second-round rookie Shemar Turner is beginning to get run at defensive end.

It’s a deep group, but outside of Sweat, there isn’t a true pass-rush demon on the team. Maybe Booker can prove to be that guy, but until he does, you can expect pass rush to be a priority for the Chicago Bears in just about every 2026 NFL mock draft.

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