Zion Young Emerging as Perfect Fit for Bears at No. 25 in 2026 NFL Draft
Zion Young is gaining traction as a top Bears target after a strong 2025 season and fits a major defensive need.
A direction is starting to take shape for the Chicago Bears and their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
And it’s pointing toward the edge.
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen recently identified Zion Young as an ideal fit for Chicago in the first round, and when you look at how this roster is built, the connection makes a lot of sense.
The Bears Still Need Help on the Edge
The Bears addressed the interior of their defensive line in free agency. Now, the attention shifts outside in the 2026 draft.
Chicago still needs a consistent presence opposite Montez Sweat, especially after finishing 2025 with just 35 total sacks, tied for 28th in the NFL.
That lack of pressure showed up in key moments during the regular season and the playoffs and remains one of the biggest areas for improvement as the draft inches closer.
Bowen’s projection lines up directly with that need.
Why Zion Young Fits the Bears' Defense
Young checks the boxes the Bears look for as an edge rusher in Dennis Allen's defense.
Bowen pointed to his long frame, which fits what Allen typically values on the outside. Length and play strength are critical in his system, particularly for setting the edge against the run.
That’s an area where Chicago struggled last season.
The Bears allowed 5.0 yards per carry in 2025, one of the highest marks in the league. Improving that number starts with better edge discipline, and Young’s ability to hold up against the run would immediately help.
Zion Young Would Offer Pass Rush Upside Too
Young is not just a run defender. He'd add an instant upgrade to the Bears' pass rush.
He produced 6.5 sacks and 43 pressures in 2025, showing the kind of physical traits teams look for in a developing pass rusher. His ability to convert speed to power gives him a foundation that can be built on at the next level.
That matters for a Bears defense that, as of now, will begin the season with only Sweat and Austin Booker as potential edge defenders with pass-rushing chops.
How Zion Young Fits the Chicago Bears' Bigger Picture
The good news is the Bears wouldn't need Young to be the focal point of the pass rush on Day 1. That role still belongs to Sweat. Instead, they need someone who can:
- Handle early downs
- Set a firm edge against the run
- Develop into a complementary pass rusher
That’s a clean pathway for a rookie. In fact, he'd make a great 1-2 punch with Booker, who profiles as a more traditional pass rusher at this point in his career.
The Bears' Bottom Line
The Chicago Bears have a strong enough foundation in place that they don't have to force a pick at No. 25.
That gives GM Ryan Poles flexibility in the first round.
If the board falls the right way, adding an edge defender with Young’s profile would address one of the roster’s biggest needs while fitting the scheme the Bears want to run.
And based on Bowen’s evaluation, that fit is already there.
