Bears Mock Draft Sends Versatile Safety to Chicago at No. 25
The Bears are projected to take a versatile safety at No. 25, addressing a key need in the secondary ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears keep getting connected to safety prospects in the first round of 2026 NFL mock drafts for a reason.
Safety isn’t just a need; it’s one of the few spots on the roster where there’s still a real question mark in the starting lineup heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
In his latest mock draft for NFL.com, Bucky Brooks sends the Bears a direct answer: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 25 overall.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Fits What the Bears Lost
When Kevin Byard signed with the New England Patriots this offseason, it left more than a vacancy on the depth chart. It left a leadership and communication gap in the middle of the defense.
That’s not something you patch with a one-dimensional player.
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Brooks described McNeil-Warren as a safety with a rare blend of skills. He's someone who can play deep as a true center fielder and still come downhill and impact the game near the line of scrimmage.
For coordinator Dennis Allen, that kind of player opens up the playbook and helps soften the blow of losing Byard.
Why McNeil-Warren Keeps Getting Mocked to the Bears
McNeil-Warren isn’t just a one-off projection. He’s starting to show up consistently in Chicago Bears 2026 mock drafts.
That usually tells you something.
Chicago already addressed part of the position by signing Coby Bryant in free agency, but that doesn’t close the door on adding another long-term piece. If anything, it gives the Bears more flexibility to pair a veteran presence with a rookie who can grow into a central role.
And when you look at the 2026 draft class, the safety group at the top is strong.
That lines up with what we’ve heard across the league: there’s high-end talent available early, but the depth behind it drops off. If the Bears want a difference-maker at the position, Round 1 might be their best shot.
What Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Shows on Tape
Turn on the film, and the appeal is easy to spot.
McNeil-Warren plays with range on the back end. He’s comfortable tracking the ball in space and has the instincts to anticipate routes before they fully develop. That’s the center-field part of his game.
But he’s not just sitting deep.
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He’s physical in run support; it’s what separates him from a lot of pure coverage safeties.
McNeil-Warrend ended the 2025 season with 77 tackles and two interceptions for Toledo, bringing his career totals to 214 tackles and five interceptions in 48 games.
How It Connects to the Bears’ Draft Plan
The Chicago Bears used 2026 free agency to steady the roster. They filled the linebacker position with Devin Bush and addressed safety with Bryant. That gives them room to be selective early in the draft.
If the board breaks this way, adding a player like McNeil-Warren would give Chicago a long-term answer at safety who can step in and start right away. That's the goal for every first-round pick.
He'd also keep the defense trending younger without sacrificing versatility.
The Bigger Picture for the Chicago Bears
Safeties are a lot like running backs. They usually don't carry first-round grades unless they're pressy special. But the Bears are in a unique spot in the 2026 NFL Draft. Their late-first-round pick can tilt a bit more toward need than the usual top-10 prospects they've targeted in recent years.
The Bears don’t just need playmakers; they need starters on defense who can step in and play like veterans.
McNeil-Warren checks that box.
And if this connection keeps showing up between now and draft night, it probably won’t be a coincidence.
