Mel Kiper’s Final Mock Draft Sends Bears Pass-Rush Answer in Round 1

Mel Kiper Jr. dropped his final mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, and one theme held steady for the Chicago Bears.

Load up on defense.

Kiper’s two-round projection starts at No. 25 overall, where he again connects Chicago to Zion Young. It’s not the first time he has made that pairing, and at this point, the repetition stands out.

Kiper is well plugged in around the league, and when he has a name surfacing in the same spot, it is usually rooted in real conversations happening behind the scenes. If he continues to tie Young to the Bears, it is at least worth paying close attention.

Zion Young Fits What the Bears Have Been Missing

The Bears have spent the past two offseasons searching for a true running mate for Montez Sweat, and they still have not found one.

Zion Young offers the kind of profile they have been missing. He combines power and burst with real production, totaling 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures, and 18 tackles for loss last season. That is the résumé of a disruptive edge presence.

And that is exactly what Chicago lacks.

The Bears managed just 35 sacks last season, tied for the seventh fewest in the league. That level of production is not good enough for a team with playoff aspirations.

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The deeper issue is how long this need has lingered.

As Kiper pointed out, Chicago has not used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd in 2016. For nearly a decade, the organization has tried to patch the position instead of properly investing in it.

Kiper Sends Bears a Safety and Center in Round 2

Kiper continues to build out the roster with two second-round selections that reflect both need and long-term planning.

At No. 57, the Bears land Arizona safety Treydan Stukes.

"This offseason has brought a full line change at safety in Chicago: Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis in, Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III out," Kiper wrote. "But it's still a need, and Stukes could step in for Lewis. The Bears have an opportunistic defense, leading the NFL in takeaways (33) and interceptions (23) last season. Stukes fits right in; he had four interceptions last year."

At No. 60, Kiper shifts to the offensive line with Iowa center Logan Jones.

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The Bears signed Garrett Bradbury after Drew Dalman’s retirement, but that solution feels temporary. Bradbury is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season.

Jones brings experience, with 51 career starts at center, and gives Chicago a long-term option at a critical position.

The Bigger Picture for the Chicago Bears

This mock draft lays out a clear blueprint. The Bears need to prioritize defense early, with edge rusher and safety standing out as obvious needs.

The interior defensive line should not be ruled out in the first round, either.

Addressing the pass rush early targets one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster, while using second-round picks on the secondary and offensive line adds depth and long-term stability.

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It’s a balanced approach from Mel Kiper Jr. for a team that expects to make a deep playoff push in 2026.

The Bears’ Bottom Line

Mel Kiper’s mock draft lines up with where this roster stands. The names may change, but it would be surprising if the Chicago Bears don’t come out of the first two rounds with help at edge rusher and safety.

If Ryan Poles follows a similar approach, Chicago would address its most pressing need while continuing to build long-term stability across the roster.

And the pass rush cannot remain an afterthought any longer.

For too long, the Bears have tried to patch together edge rushers rather than invest real draft capital. The most reliable way to fix that problem is through the NFL Draft, especially in the early rounds.

Whether it ends up being Zion Young or another top edge prospect in the 2026 class, the opportunity is there.

Now it is on the Bears to finally get it right.