Chicago Bears 7-Round NFL Mock Draft Fixes the Trenches

With just under one month before the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off, the Chicago Bears are doing their homework on the top prospects expected to be available when they're on the clock at No. 25 overall.

But the best NFL draft classes aren't won in the first round. It will take a full seven rounds of productive selections to move the Bears from NFC Divisional Round loser to potential NFC Champion.

There's no better time than right now to run through a full Chicago Bears seven-round mock draft.

Here’s how it all plays out.

Round 1, Pick 25: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

General manager Ryan Poles and assistant general manager Jeff King were in attendance at Alabama's pro day this week, and got an up-close look at Proctor.

At roughly 6-foot-7 and 350+ pounds, Proctor is one of the most physically imposing offensive tackles in the 2026 class. He's faced NFL-caliber edge rushers every week in the SEC, showing improved anchor strength and recovery ability in pass protection over the course of the 2025 season.

With lingering questions at left tackle, Proctor is a strong candidate to be the Bears' target in Round 1.

Chicago’s offensive line took a hit with Drew Dalman’s retirement, and while Garrett Bradbury stabilizes the interior, the long-term answer at tackle is still unsettled. Proctor gives the Bears a high-ceiling blindside protector who can grow with Williams.

Round 2, Pick 57: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

The Chicago Bears will benefit from the depth in this year's edge class, and Lawrence would be a solid Round 2 target.

He brings burst and length off the edge, with a developing pass-rush plan that flashes but isn’t fully consistent yet. He fits the mold of what Ryan Poles has targeted: loaded with traits.

Lawrence ended the 2025 season with seven sacks and has 20 career sacks during his four years at UCF.

With Montez Sweat anchoring one side, the Bears need rotational juice and upside opposite him.

Round 2, Pick 60: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

Double-dipping on the offensive line isn’t just smart, it’s necessary for this Bears team.

While most Bears fans would prefer a traditional center here, Poles opts for the best interior lineman available. With Joe Thuney getting long in the tooth, landing an understudy like Rutledge is good business.

And, who knows? Maybe a position change can be in his future.

"Rutledge is a burly, experienced right guard with excellent contact pop and a rugged field demeanor that will appeal to offensive line coaches," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote. "He excels as a drive/combo blocker, where he displaces defenders, but he has the athleticism to operate in all run-blocking concepts."

Round 3, Pick 89: Rayshaun Benny, DL, Michigan

See a theme developing? The Chicago Bears' 2026 NFL Draft will be all about the trenches. Add Benny, who fills an obvious need for more depth and upside alongside Gervon Dexter.

Benny is a stout interior defender who excels against the run, something Chicago needs after struggling in that area in 2025. He’s not a high-end pass rusher, but he eats space and keeps linebackers clean.

Round 4, Pick 129: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

The Bears addressed safety in free agency with Coby Bryant, but corner depth is still a work in progress. Nahshon Wright's departure will sting more than Bears fans have been led to believe.

Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, when healthy, are a fantastic pair of cover guys, and Tyrique Stevenson still has upside. But with the injury history in the Bears' CB room, adding another option is a must.

Lee has good height (nearly 6'2") and length, but questions about his top-end speed will push him into the Day-3 range.

Round 7, Pick 239: Vincent Anthony Jr., EDGE, Duke

The Bears add another edge rusher on Day 3 with Anthony, who recorded 7.5 sacks in 2025, bringing his career total to 15 at Duke.

"Long-limbed edge defender with intriguing rush features but a lack of anchor and contact balance against the run," Zierlein wrote. "Anthony is best when playing up the field with elusiveness in both phases. He has adequate get-off with long strides and good bend in his rush. He can throw speed and angle changes at tackles to create opportunities but it’s all for naught once tackles get hands on him."

Anthony has flashed pass-rush juice but lacks consistency. At this stage, you’re betting on coaching and development.

Round 7, Pick 241: Jalen Catalon, S, Missouri

Bears fans who were hoping for a starting safety from the 2026 NFL Draft class won't be happy with how this mock draft fell.

Poles doesn't land a third-level defender until the final pick of the draft, but at least he lands a mature prospect (25 years old) with a lot of college experience here at the end of the draft.

Catalon is a dart throw.

Final Take: Bears Attack Trenches in 7-Round Draft Haul

Could this mock draft be described as boring? Sure. But boring drafts usually end up being good drafts.

The Bears:

• Invested in protecting Caleb Williams
• Added multiple defensive front players
• Addressed depth across key positions

This aligns perfectly with what we’ve seen from Ryan Poles all offseason. He didn’t try to win free agency with flashy big-name players. And he won't try to win the draft by picking "fun" players.

And if Kadyn Proctor develops into a long-term answer at tackle, this draft will go from boring to a cornerstone haul.