Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson, left, and general manager Ryan Poles speak before introducing new players Drew Dalman and Dayo Odeyingbo on March 13, 2025, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away, and it looms as a deeply important one for the Chicago Bears. The organization filled some important roles in free agency, but many remain in limbo, including multiple positions that need a starting-caliber player. With only seven picks total, it is unlikely that every position can be filled as things stand, but with a little maneuvering, I think it can be done. Here is how I would attack this year’s draft if I were in Chicago’s draft room. 

**Projected trade: Bears trade no. 25 to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for nos. 34 and 65. 

Round 2, Pick 34 (from ARI) – Colton Hood, CB – Tennessee 

ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 30: Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) reacts during the AFLAC Kickoff Game between the Syracuse Orange and the Tennessee Volunteers on August 30th, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cornerback is a position of need for the Bears that doesn’t get talked about enough. The room, behind Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, largely consists of unknown commodities. Not to mention the loss of Nahshon Wright in free agency. Colton Hood is a physical corner with exceptional press-man capabilities who could challenge Stevenson on day one for the CB2 spot. At the very least, he would provide much-needed depth before he eventually develops into a starter. 

Round 2, Pick 57 – Gracen Halton, DT – Oklahoma 

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA – SEPTEMBER 20: Defensive tackle Gracen Halton #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after sacking quarterback Jackson Arnold of the Auburn Tigers for a loss of four yards to the four yard line late in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 24-17. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

The inability to consistently pressure the quarterback was the Bears’ most glaring issue last season, and the defensive tackle position greatly lacks a true difference maker. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes athletic interior d-linemen that can explode off the line and disrupt the pocket, and Gracen Halton fits that mold to a tee. The knock on Halton is that he wasn’t a three-down player and largely benefited from rotation play, but Chicago has enough bodies at the position to use him in the same way, giving them a quick-twitch weapon to play with on the defensive line. 

Round 2, Pick 60 (from BUF) – Caleb Tiernan, OT – Northwestern 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 7: Caleb Tiernan #72 of Northwestern Wildcats blocks during the game against USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Ozzy Trapilo appeared to be the future for the Bears at left tackle until he ruptured his patellar tendon in the Wild Card round against the Packers; now he’s set to miss most – if not all – of next season while he recovers, and the severity of the injury raises concerns about his future. While the Bears re-signed Braxton Jones and brought in Jedric Wills Jr., they could desperately use another high upside player to add to that starting competition. Caleb Tiernan is widely considered the best pure left tackle beyond the first round and could immediately challenge for playing time at the position for Chicago. He also has the flexibility to move to guard if Trapilo returns to his former self. 

Round 3, Pick 65 (from ARI) – Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE – Penn State 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 27: Dani Dennis-Sutton #33 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after his second quarter sack against the Clemson Tigers during the 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)

The Bears have two serviceable edge rushers in Austin Booker and Montez Sweat, but much like corner, the position could greatly use another playmaker. Dani Dennis-Sutton has the size, speed, and power to develop into a force off the edge in the NFL. He also plays the run well, which is something Dennis Allen values highly. Dennis-Sutton has a high floor that would give Chicago immediate production at a position of need, while also giving them an exciting prospect with high-level starter upside. 

Round 3, Pick 89 – Bud Clark, S – TCU 

CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 01: Safety Bud Clark #21 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates the pick six during the college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the TCU Horned Frogs on September 1, 2025 at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC. (Photo by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Bears brought in Coby Bryant during free agency to start at safety, a position left completely void after all of last year’s starters signed elsewhere. Bud Clark is a rangy, athletic turnover machine who has the potential to start right away next to Bryant. Clark’s ball-hawking ability would give the Bears a chance to replicate some of the interception production that Kevin Byard had last season.

Round 4, Pick 129 (from LAR) – Logan Jones, C – Iowa

TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) prote4cts the pocket during the ReliaQuest Bowl game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The sudden retirement of Drew Dalman left a glaring need at center for the Bears. Trading for veteran Garrett Bradbury gives them some insurance heading into next season, but he is likely a one-year rental while the Bears search for a long-term answer. Logan Jones is a sound technician with outstanding range, which fits perfectly into Ben Johnson’s heavy outside-zone run scheme. Jones would give Chicago an immediate quality backup with the upside to develop into the anchor of the offensive line for years to come. 

Round 7, Pick 239 (from JAX) – Tyren Montgomery, WR – John Carroll 

Image via John Carroll University Athletics

The Bears have three wide receiver positions secured with Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Kalif Raymond. The WR4 role is up for grabs without many options beyond second-year undrafted free agent Jahdae Walker. While it isn’t a position that needs addressing in the early rounds, taking a seventh-round flyer on a player like Tyren Montgomery to add depth and potentially compete for playing time would be a smart move. Montgomery impressed at the Senior Bowl and provides the size that Chicago could benefit from at the position, all while possessing polished route-running capabilities. 

Round 7, Pick 241 – Max Bredeson, TE – Michigan 

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 30: Max Bredeson #44 of the Michigan Wolverines runs away from an attempted tackle by Abraham Williams #2 of the New Mexico Lobos during the first half of a college football game at Michigan Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet are an exceptional tight end duo, but the Bears’ third tight end, Durham Smythe, left in free agency. Given that Ben Johnson loves to use a lot of heavy offensive sets, the third tight end is crucial in the blocking phase. Max Bredeson is a smashmouth blocker and could immediately fill the TE3 position for Chicago. Plus, taking a Michigan tight end worked out incredibly well last year; why not do it again?