The Chicago Bears shocked a lot of people in the 2025 NFL Season, as the team went 11-6 and made the playoffs, winning the NFC North in the process. Chicago nearly advanced to the NFC Championship Game as well and clearly have a bright future.
Ben Johnson was a slam-dunk of a hire, and Caleb Williams was definitely a more efficient player than he was during his rookie season in 2024. While there are many reasons for optimism going forward, the work has only just begun to take a leap forward in 2026.
However, if the Bears could come away with this haul in the 2026 NFL Draft, their odds at winning the NFC North again and perhaps even making a Super Bowl run would skyrocket.
Bears trade pick 25 and a 2027 1st-Round Pick to Las Vegas Raiders for DE Maxx Crosby
We're already getting into some major movement here, as Chicago trades pick 25 in 2026 and a first-round pick in 2027 to the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby, an elite pass-rusher and someone who would fit like a glove along the Bears' defensive line.
It is not a mystery that the Bears need another pass-rusher and have to get better defending the run. Well, Crosby is quite literally great at everything and plays with a motor higher than 99% of NFL players. If Chicago could land Crosby for two first-round picks, I'd have a hard time believing
57. AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
With 10 career interceptions and 17 career defended passes, AJ Haulcy has a nose for the football and is a rather complete safety prospect. Even with trading for Maxx Crosby in this mock draft, the Bears still have two more picks inside the top-100. After adding the pass-rusher, Chicago addresses the secondary and snags a player who can contribute to the ball-hawking nature of the Bears backend.
89. Darrell Jackson Jr, DT, Florida State
Darrell Jackson Jr is 6-5 and over 330 pounds. He excels, right now, at stopping the run, and that's a huge piece of the puzzle on defense for Chicago. Not only did they improve the pass rush with Maxx Crosby earlier on in this mock draft, but the Bears double-down along the defensive line and snag someone who can help the Bears' defense get into some third-and-long situations, which is where NFL pass-rushers thrive.
Thus far, it's hard to argue with the first three decisions in this mock draft.
129. Lander Barton, LB, Utah
Chicago could use some help at the linebacker position, so they use pick 129 in this mock draft on Lander Barton from Utah. Tremaine Edmunds just isn't a spectacular player anymore, and TJ Edwards appeared in just 10 games in 2025 due to injury, so you could expect some help coming at this position this offseason, and it would not shock me if Chicago made some free agency signings here, too.
163. JC Davis, OT, Illinois
With the uncertainty brewing surrounding Ozzy Trapilo and his patella tendon injury, a major one to come back from, the Bears have to come out of the 2026 NFL Draft with a legitimate left tackle prospect. JC Davis could be that player.
The Bears use pick 163 in this mock draft on Davis and continue investing into the offensive line. Last offseason, we saw the front office totally remake the interior with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson, and the unit quite literally turned into one of the best in the NFL. Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson must ensure that the LT spot does turn into a massive question mark.
239. Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
Caleb Douglas is a 6-4, 210 pound wide receiver from Texas Tech. In 2025, Douglas hauled in 54 receptions for 846 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging a healthy 15.7 yards per reception. The Bears could use another receiver, especially if DJ Moore isn't on the team in 2026, which feels relatively likely. Douglas could be a niche downfield target for Caleb Williams, who has the arm strength to push the ball down the field with ease.
But it's important to remember that at this point in the NFL Draft, teams aren't necessarily hoping to find the next All-Pro, as depth options are much more common when picking this late.
241. Keagen Trost, OT, Missouri
A right tackle prospect, Keagen Trost is the final pick of this Bears' NFL mock draft and could simply be some quality depth. Investment in the trenches is always a good idea, as you just never know when depth players will need to come in and play, and it's not like seventh-round picks can't make an impact.
With this latest Bears' mock draft, Chicago could continue to succeed into 2026 and beyond with a wise investment at key positions.