Bears Projected to Land Sliding Top Talent in New 2026 Mock Draft

The Chicago Bears landing Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 25 overall sounds like a best-case scenario.

In his latest mock draft for CBS Sports, Pete Prisco sent Woods to Chicago, framing the pick around a prospect whose stock dipped, but whose talent never really did.

“He played heavy last year, and didn't play as well," Prisco wrote. "That's why he's down this far in the draft. But Woods was once considered a top-10 talent and his weight is down.”

That evaluation captures exactly why Woods is one of the most polarizing first-round prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and why the Bears would have to seriously consider him if he’s on the board.

Why the fit between Peter Woods and the Bears makes sense

The Bears don’t need to overthink this one. Chicago’s defensive line remains a work in progress, particularly along the interior. The lack of consistent push up the middle showed up throughout the 2025 season, both against the run and when trying to affect opposing quarterbacks.

Woods directly addresses that problem.

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At his best, he’s a disruptive interior defender with the kind of first-step quickness and power that defensive coordinators covet in a 3-technique. Early in his college career, Woods looked like a lock to be one of the first defensive players off the board in this class.

That upside hasn’t disappeared.

If anything, it’s what makes this projection so appealing for a Bears team that still needs difference-makers along the defensive front.

The concern that's caused Woods to slide

Prisco didn’t ignore the elephant in the room, and neither will NFL teams.

Woods’ 2025 season didn’t match expectations, and the primary reason cited has been his weight. Playing heavier appeared to affect his explosiveness and overall effectiveness, which, in turn, cooled what once looked like top-10 momentum.

That matters in a class where teams are constantly looking for reasons to separate prospects in the same tier.

But there’s also a counterpoint that will carry real weight in draft rooms: Woods has reportedly trimmed down again.

If evaluators believe the dip in performance was tied to conditioning, then his stock could rebound quickly as the draft approaches.

Could Woods actually fall to the Bears at No. 25?

This is where Prisco’s projection becomes more optimistic than probable.

Prospects with Woods’ physical tools and early-career production profile typically don’t last into the mid-20s, especially at a premium position like defensive tackle. All it takes is one team picking earlier to view him as a buy-low candidate with high-end upside.

And historically, that’s exactly what happens with players like this.

At the same time, if there are lingering concerns about consistency, conditioning, or long-term reliability, it’s not impossible to see him slide into the Chicago Bears’ range.

That’s what makes Woods one of the more volatile prospects in this class.

What this would mean for the Bears

If Woods is available and the Bears pass, it likely means they prioritized another premium need, such as an edge rusher or an offensive tackle.

But if he’s on the board and Chicago pulls the trigger, it would signal a clear bet on upside.

Ryan Poles has shown a willingness to invest in traits and long-term ceiling, especially along the defensive line. Woods fits that approach. He’s not just a rotational piece; he has the potential to become a centerpiece of the interior defense if everything clicks.

Final assessment

Pete Prisco’s mock draft gets the logic right. Peter Woods is absolutely a player the Bears should target if he reaches No. 25. The need is there, the talent is undeniable, and the potential value would be difficult to pass up.

But whether this actually becomes reality is another story.

If Woods continues trending in the right direction leading up to the draft, it’s hard to see him lasting long enough for Chicago to make this pick.

And if he does?

The Bears may have just walked into one of the biggest value selections of the first round.