Chicago Bears zero in on defense in latest 2026 NFL mock draft

Believe it or not, the Chicago Bears would hold the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if the season ended today.

Yes, Bears fans, you read that right. Not only do the Bears not have a top-10 pick, but their slotting in the first round of new 2026 mock drafts has them picking in a spot reserved for Super Bowl teams.

It’s the reality of a Bears team that now owns the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs as the calendar turns to December.

It’s an odd and foreign reality for Bears Nation, one that’s delayed the feverish refreshes for new mock drafts. There’s no longer a rush to Tankathon on Monday mornings to find out how high the Bears have climbed in the first round.

Instead, Chicago Bears fans are focused on one thing: Week 14’s mega-showdown against the Green Bay Packers.

However, that game is still several days away. So, why not take a spin through a new 2026 mock draft?

Chicago Bears mock draft attacks defense in early rounds

This time, the latest mock draft is from Bears on Sports Illustrated’s Gene Chamberlain. He does the smart thing and has GM Ryan Poles focus on defense with his first two picks.

In Round 1, the Bears snag Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton.

“He’s not exactly a sack machine with seven for his career to date, but we’re picking here based on what Dennis Allen wants or needs for his scheme and what Ryan Poles might do,” Chamberlain wrote. “Overton is a perfect stout end fit for this scheme at 6-foot-5, 278 pounds. The loss of Dayo Odeyingbo for the year means they’re down one stout end. They need a replacement because Odeyingbo will still be under contract next season and most likely unable to play at the start of the season due to a torn Achilles. There were a few 240-pound edges at this point with bigger sack numbers, but that’s not what they’ll be looking to fill in this draft. They have that player in the rush with Austin Booker. They need a run-stopping end with decent pass rush ability.”

At this point, any pick that focuses on the Chicago Bears’ defensive line is one that Bears fans would welcome. Of course, the preference is for an edge rusher who can complement Montez Sweat and Austin Booker. But those players rarely fall to the 31st pick.

Chamberlain has the Bears sticking with the Crimson Tide in the second round. This time, it’s linebacker Deontae Lawson at No. 63 overall.

“He wore the green dot for the Crimson Tide, is a leader and a legitimate all-purpose linebacker who will doubt add to his 228-pound frame,” Chamberlain wrote. “He has 263 tackles, 17 1/2 for loss and five sacks with a pick and three fumble recoveries.”

If we’ve learned anything from the Bears’ 2025 season, it’s that linebacker depth is critical for this team’s success. Sure, it’s been a bit fluky that both Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards have missed games at the same time, but it’s also highlighted an area of the roster that could use improvement.

Will running back be a need for the Bears in the 2026 draft?

One of the more surprising and potentially exciting picks of this 2026 mock draft comes in the third round, where Chamberlain sends the Chicago Bears a running mate for Kyle Monangai in Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price.

Notre Dame might have RB1 and RB2 in the 2026 class when it’s all said and done. Jadarian Price is legit. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/LrEIycDFoS

— Ray G (@RayGQue) November 22, 2025

Whether or not the Bears use a Day 2 pick on a running back depends mostly on what the future holds for D’Andre Swift. He’ll enter the final year of his contract in 2026. It’s unlikely he’ll earn a lucrative third deal in Chicago with how good Monangai looks.

If the Bears already know they’re moving on from Swift in a year, then adding Price at No. 95 overall makes a ton of sense.

Just don’t get your hopes up. Price could challenge for late-first-round consideration by the time the NFL Draft rolls around.