Chicago Bears: 2026 NFL Draft Grades

The Chicago Bears put together one of the most balanced and scheme-fitting classes in the 2026 NFL draft, consistently finding players who addressed immediate needs while also fitting the long-term identity Ben Johnson is building. The Bears added versatility, physicality, and intelligence across all three levels of the roster, with several players projecting as early contributors and multiple long-term starters. This class feels extremely cohesive from both a schematic and roster-construction standpoint.

Chicago Bears: 2026 NFL Draft Class Overview

Draft Pick Selections

Round 1 | Pick 25 Overall

Dillon Thieneman | Safety | Oregon

This was one of the best picks in the entire draft regardless of team. Dillon Thieneman is a true do-it-all safety capable of impacting the game in coverage, run support, and disguise-heavy defensive structures. Pairing him with Coby Bryant gives Chicago one of the more versatile young safety tandems in football and significantly expands the multiplicity of the secondary. His instincts, range, and football intelligence make him an immediate impact defender for a team looking to remain atop the NFC North.

Round 2 | Pick 57 Overall

Logan Jones | Center | Iowa

Outstanding fit, good value, and one of the cleaner projections in the class. Jones was a multi-year starter at Iowa and anchored one of the nation’s top offensive lines while consistently displaying high-end athleticism for the position, particularly in zone concepts. With center remaining a need outside of Garrett Bradbury, Jones has a legitimate pathway to starting immediately and projects as an above-average NFL center early in his career, especially in this system.

Round 3 | Pick 69 Overall

Sam Roush | Tight End | Stanford

Roush brings legitimate do-it-all Y tight end ability with the versatility to block, run routes, and align in multiple formations. The fit in Chicago’s offense makes a great deal of sense, especially with the potential for increased 13 personnel usage early in his career. Long term, he projects as a potential TE2 opposite Colston Loveland while also offering enough all-around skill to develop into a significant contributor in his own right. He is likely the long-term cheaper alternative to Cole Kmet.

Round 3 | Pick 89 Overall

Zavion Thomas | Wide Receiver | LSU

This may have come slightly earlier than expected. However, the fit within Ben Johnson’s offensive creativity makes the selection a little easier to understand, though questions are still valid. Thomas offers versatility as a movable offensive weapon and should immediately contribute on special teams while being deployed in manufactured-touch situations offensively. The value of explosive athletes also becomes more important under the NFL’s new kickoff structure. Field position and return value carry added significance as we are starting to see less touchbacks under the new structure.

Round 4 | Pick 124 Overall

Malik Muhammad | Corner | Texas

Muhammad is a traits-heavy corner with intriguing developmental upside and starting potential down the road. His athletic profile and movement ability give him a chance to eventually grow into a strong CB3 option with legitimate upside to develop opposite Jaylon Johnson if refinement continues. Landing a player with this type of physical upside in Round 4 represents strong value.

Round 5 | Pick 166 Overall

Keyshaun Elliott | Linebacker | Arizona State

One of the more underrated off-ball linebackers in the class and an excellent fit for what Chicago needed at the position. Elliott brings range, physicality, and strong downhill instincts while offering immediate depth and developmental upside. Elliott will be at minimum a strong rotational linebacker at the next level, but has a legitimate chance to earn a role as a starter. This felt like one of the better value selections on Day 3.

Round 6 | Pick 213 Overall

Jordan Van Den Berg | Interior Defensive Line | Georgia Tech

Another outstanding value selection for Chicago late in the draft. Van Den Berg provides the type of size and strength the Bears needed to reinforce the interior run defense. I am higher on Van Den Berg than many others for his upside. His upside gives him a legitimate pathway to earning rotational snaps early in his rookie season with developmental starter upside over time.

Best Value Pick — Dillon Thieneman | Safety | Oregon

One of the premier value selections in the entire draft. Thieneman addresses a major need while bringing elite versatility and high-level football intelligence to the back end of Chicago’s defense. His pairing with Bryant gives the Bears one of the more dynamic young safety duos in the league.

Biggest Question Mark — Zavion Thomas | Wide Receiver | LSU

The concern here is tied more to draft position than player ability. Thomas is an intriguing offensive weapon with legitimate versatility and special teams value, but this felt slightly early relative to his overall projection. However, the offensive creativity of Ben Johnson gives him a real opportunity to produce at a level to justify the pick.

Final Thoughts

Chicago executed one of the more complete and intentional draft classes in football. The Bears consistently found players who aligned with clear hits in their scheme while also getting value with their selections. The additions of Dillon Thieneman and Logan Jones stand out as immediate-impact selections, while players like Sam Roush, Malik Muhammad, and Jordan Van Den Berg add long-term developmental upside at important positions. Overall, this class blends value, fit, and roster construction at a very high level and positions Chicago well moving forward.

Final Draft Grade: A