Chicago Bears Face Tough Decision in Peter Schrager’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Peter Schrager’s latest mock draft puts the Chicago Bears in a difficult spot at No. 25 with multiple appealing prospects still on the board.
When ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager releases a mock draft, Chicago Bears fans pay attention.
Schrager is one of the most plugged-in insiders in the NFL. His projections are not just based on film study or consensus rankings. They are shaped by conversations with coaches, scouts, and front office decision-makers across the league.
That is what makes his first 2026 NFL Mock Draft worth a closer look.
And for the Chicago Bears, it delivers a fascinating decision point.
The Bears' Pick: Kadyn Proctor at No. 25
Schrager has the Bears selecting Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at No. 25.
The reasoning is rooted in both talent and circumstance.
Proctor is one of the most physically gifted offensive linemen in this class. At nearly 360 pounds, he brings rare size, but more importantly, he moves well for a player of that build. If he keeps his weight in check, his upside is as high as any tackle in this draft.
Schrager even suggests Proctor could be off the board earlier than No. 25.
"With Ozzy Trapilo out and Braxton Jones' uneven play, Chicago would be happy with this outcome," Schrager wrote. "General manager Ryan Poles is often credited for the Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey picks in Kansas City, and he has the chance to add another star to the list."
Why This Feels Like an “Intel-Based” Pick for the Bears
This is where Schrager’s mock carries more weight than most. It's not just a random projection. It reflects how the league may actually view the Bears’ situation.
The Bears will enter draft weekend with Jones and Jedrick Wills as the top contenders for the starting left tackle job. And while Jones has a track record of success and Wills was a top-10 pick, neither inspires absolute confidence that Caleb Williams' blindside is well protected.
Williams remains the Bears' top priority, and drafting a high-upside tackle is an additional investment into Williams' long-term upside.
Schrager also connects the pick to Ryan Poles’ background, noting his ties to building elite offensive lines in Kansas City. And there's no better way to build an elite offensive line than by loading on first-round talent.
The Dillon Thieneman Factor
Here is where things get interesting.
Schrager has the Bears passing on Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who falls to the Miami Dolphins at No. 30.
Safety remains one of the Bears’ most obvious needs, and if Thieneman is still on the board for Chicago, it'd be difficult imagining a scenario in which he isn't the pick.
Granted, it's harder to find a bookend left tackle than it is a starting safety. But the Bears would have to be convinced that Proctor is that guy in order to pass on Thieneman, who is one of the safest prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bears' Bottom Line
This is exactly the kind of scenario that makes Schrager’s mock draft so valuable. It's not just about who the Chicago Bears select; it's also about who might be on the board when they're on the clock.
If the board falls this way, the Bears will have to choose between two legitimate paths.
Take the high-upside tackle and invest in the future, or address an immediate defensive need with a player like Dillon Thieneman.
If Schrager is right, and the 2026 NFL Draft falls this way, the choice between Proctor and Thieneman could have a long-lasting ripple effect on the Chicago Bears.
