Dane Brugler’s Final Mock Draft Sends T.J. Parker to Chicago Bears at No. 25
Dane Brugler’s final 2026 NFL Mock Draft projects the Chicago Bears selecting T.J. Parker at No. 25 as edge rusher remains a top priority.
Dane Brugler has released his final mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, officially closing the book on a pre-draft cycle that’s been anything but predictable.
And for the Chicago Bears, the uncertainty is very real.
For the first time in years, even the top of the draft feels unsettled. The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to take former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, but the New York Jets remain a complete wildcard at No. 2. That unpredictability sets the tone for the entire first round, and it doesn’t stop before Chicago goes on the clock at No. 25.
That’s exactly what makes the NFL Draft the league’s best reality show.
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Brugler’s final projection doesn’t clear up the mystery surrounding Chicago’s plans, but it does reinforce one consistent theme: edge rusher remains firmly in play.
In his last mock, Brugler sends former Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker to the Bears, betting on a well-rounded defender to boost the front seven.
“Zion Young makes sense. Peter Woods would be a nice addition to the Bears’ interior rotation,” Brugler wrote. “But I’m going with Parker, who’d bring a well-rounded play style to Chicago’s defensive line.”
What stands out most isn’t just the pick, it’s the admission behind it.
Even one of the most plugged-in draft analysts in the industry is essentially acknowledging that Chicago could go in multiple directions. Edge rusher, defensive tackle, best player available; it’s all on the table.
Peter Woods? Zion Young? T.J. Parker? You can build a case for all of them.
If there’s a lean here, it’s toward interior disruption. In today’s NFL, consistent pressure up the middle can change everything, which makes Woods especially intriguing. But at this point, the exact name matters less than the outcome.
If Ryan Poles walks away with a defender who raises the ceiling of this unit, the Bears will have done exactly what they needed to do.
