2026 NFL mock draft round-up: Method-too-early predictions for Bears

[ad_1] The 2025 NFL draft is within the books, the place the Chicago Bears welcomed eight new rookies to the roster.

The Bears added a pair of playmakers in tight finish Colston Loveland and broad receiver Luther Burden III with their first two alternatives. Chicago additionally shored up the trenches with the second-round alternatives of offensive sort out Ozzy Trapilo and defensive sort out Shemar Turner. Additionally they discovered some potential late-round gems with linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and working again Kyle Monangai on Day 3.

Chicago is slated to carry their rookie minicamp on Could 9, the place we'll get a primary glimpse on the newcomers earlier than the offseason program kicks into excessive gear.

Whereas we’ll be glad to provide mock drafts a relaxation for the foreseeable future, there have been some way-too-early 2026 mock drafts that surfaced after the 2025 draft. We rounded these up, the place consultants make their first picks for Chicago — the place edge rusher and working again had been the favored alternatives.

ESPN: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (seventeenth total) ESPN's Jordan Reid: "The Bears did not deal with working again till the seventh spherical final week (Kyle Monangai), in order that they may very well be searching for D'Andre Swift's successor in 2026. Their 4.0 yards per rush tied for third worst within the NFL final season. Love was electrical for the Irish in 2024, averaging 6.9 yards per carry (tenth finest within the FBS) en path to 1,125 dashing yards and 17 dashing touchdowns. He additionally had 237 receiving yards. He is an explosive strider, and his physique management permits him to suit his 6-foot, 206-pound body by means of coin-slot-sized working lanes."

The Athletic: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (seventeenth total) The Athletic's Dane Brugler: "Bain burst onto the scene as a real freshman two years in the past for the Hurricanes and may once more be among the many ACC’s prime defensive gamers in 2025, if he stays wholesome."

CBS Sports activities: Charles Jagusah, OG, Notre Dame (seventeenth total) CBS Sports activities' Josh Edwards: "Chicago invested closely in its offensive line this offseason, however Joe Thuney is scheduled to hit free company a yr from now. Jagusah provides them a less expensive, cost-controlled starter coming off what many hope can be a breakout yr for Caleb Williams."

Professional Soccer Focus: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (sixteenth total) PFF's Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman: "The Bears surprisingly waited till the seventh spherical of this yr’s draft earlier than deciding on a working again. They dive into subsequent yr’s class earlier with the number of Jeremiyah Love from close by Notre Dame. Love’s 91.8 PFF dashing grade tied him for fifth within the nation final season. His 6.8 yards per carry tied him with Ashton Jeanty for seventh. Notre Dame’s quarterback state of affairs is in flux, so Love may very well be in for an enormous season in South Bend."

Bleacher Report: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas (sixteenth total) Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski: "It’s been a busy offseason in Chicago because the Bears are at present projected to have 5 new starters on offense and two on protection. Shifting ahead, the brand new setup provides the entrance workplace some flexibility to take a luxurious choose within the first spherical of subsequent yr's draft. It will likely be hard-pressed to go up on Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad based mostly on his efficiency final season. "The Longhorns could have misplaced a first-round cornerback in Jahdae Barron, however they're nonetheless in an amazing spot with Muhammad returning for his junior season," Professional Soccer Focus' Trevor Sikkema and Max Chadwick wrote. "Solely three returning Energy 4 corners have been extra beneficial than him during the last two seasons, based on our WAA metric. He has 17 compelled incompletions in that span regardless of solely being focused on 12.1% of his protection snaps." Plus, Tyrique Stevenson hasn't been rather more than common throughout his two seasons and will probably be getting into a contract yr in 2026."

thirty third Workforce: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (seventeenth total) thirty third Workforce's Kyle Crabbs: "Bain Jr. wasn't fairly the identical model of himself in 2024 as a freshman star in 2023. However he is a strong, explosive presence that may be a welcome addition to the Bears' entrance. There is no such factor as too many good go rushers, and Bain Jr. showcased simply how disruptive he may very well be with almost 50 pressures as a freshman."

Athlon Sports activities: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (sixteenth total) Athlon Sports activities' Luke Easterling: "Chicago added some promising expertise on this yr's draft, however one factor they failed to seek out was a younger edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. After lacking the primary 4 video games of the 2024 season, Bain completed the yr sturdy, and he is acquired all of the measurables to make a giant soar in 2025 that might land him within the first spherical."

Professional Soccer Community: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon (sixteenth total) Professional Soccer Community's Jacob Infante: "The Chicago Bears have a number of choices at left sort out shifting ahead. They might lengthen Braxton Jones, or flip to Ozzy Trapilo or Kiran Amegadjie. But when they really feel uneasy concerning the place after 2025, left sort out turns into a practical Spherical 1 precedence. Isaiah World excelled at Nevada and now brings his sport to Oregon. At 6’8″, he’s an enormous, cell lineman who posted an 82.3 pass-blocking grade final season, per PFF. His upside is plain."