Bears double-dip on defense in latest ESPN mock draft

Everybody in the NFL world knows the Chicago Bears need to make some big improvements to their defense this offseason.

Keeping key free agents like safety Kevin Byard will certainly help, but new additions will be key if the Bears want to go deeper in the playoffs next year.

The 2026 NFL Draft will give the Bears the opportunity to load up on defensive talent in the early rounds, and that’s exactly what ESPN’s Matt Miller has them doing in his latest two-round mock draft.

In the first round, Miller has the Bears taking Missouri defensive end Zion Young with the No. 25 overall pick.

The Bears made a run to the divisional round of the playoffs and won the NFC North in Year 2 of the Caleb Williams era,” Miller writes. “Now general manager Ryan Poles has to plug holes and continue to develop a defense that needs a pass-rushing threat opposite Montez Sweat at defensive end. The 6-foot-5, 262-pound Young is more of a three-down edge setter than a sudden pass rusher, but he uses a long-arm move to set up tackles and establish the corner in the run game. Young needs to develop a secondary pass-rush move with a better plan, but the traits are there for him to be a solid starter in a 4-3 defense.”

In the second round, Miller sends the Bears some secondary help with LSU safety A.J. Haulcy at the No. 57 overall selection.

“The Bears need more playmakers on defense, and with Jaquan Brisker set to hit free agency, there’s room to add a safety early,” Miller writes. “Haulcy’s eight interceptions over the past two seasons would translate to Chicago’s opportunistic defense.”

These two picks would be huge helps for the Bears defense, but would still leave them needing help at defensive tackle and linebacker. But you can’t fix everything in one draft, so Chicago would still have to make moves in free agency to address every need.