Here’s the Chicago Bears 2026 NFL Draft Class: Full Breakdown of Every Pick

The Chicago Bears approached the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear objective: build a faster, more physical roster around quarterback Caleb Williams and continue reshaping the defense into a modern, attacking unit.

General manager Ryan Poles stuck to that blueprint across all three days of the draft. While the class may not feature a headline-grabbing superstar, it’s a group defined by toughness, athletic upside, and long-term roster construction.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft class.

Round 1 (No. 25): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Bears opened their draft with arguably their best value pick.

Dillon Thieneman entered the pre-draft process as a fringe top-20 prospect, but slid into Chicago’s lap at No. 25. That’s the kind of opportunity Poles couldn’t pass up.

Thieneman brings elite range, high-end speed, and positional versatility to a secondary that needed a tone-setter. His ability to impact both the run and pass game makes him a plug-and-play starter from Day 1.

More importantly, he fits the identity Chicago is building: fast, physical, and instinctive on the back end.

Round 2 (No. 57): Logan Jones, C, Iowa

This was one of the most universally praised picks of the Bears’ draft.

Logan Jones was widely viewed as the top center in the 2026 class, and Chicago landed him without having to trade up. With Drew Dalman’s unexpected retirement earlier this offseason, the Bears needed a long-term solution in the middle of the offensive line.

Jones checks every box: experience (50+ starts), athleticism, and the intelligence required to anchor an offense led by Caleb Williams.

Even with the addition of veteran Garrett Bradbury, Jones has a legitimate chance to compete for the starting job early and looks like the center of the future.

Round 3 (No. 69): Sam Roush, TE, Stanford

This is where the Chicago Bears' 2026 NFL Draft gets more controversial.

Sam Roush is a solid, well-rounded tight end with good size and reliable hands. But using a third-round pick here raised eyebrows, especially with more pressing needs and players at premium positions still on the board.

Roush projects as a complementary piece rather than a dynamic playmaker. In Ben Johnson’s offense, he could carve out a role as a dependable inline option, but this pick felt more like a luxury than a necessity.

Round 3 (No. 89): Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU

The Bears went back to the offense late in Round 3, adding speed and explosiveness at wide receiver.

Zavion Thomas brings juice. He’s a vertical threat who can stretch defenses and create chunk plays, something every offense needs more of. While he’s still developing as a complete receiver, his big-play ability gives him a clear path to reps as a return man.

Still, Thomas was a reach, no matter how you slice it. He likely would've been available late on Day 3.

Round 4 (No. 124): Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

Back to the defensive rebuild.

Malik Muhammad is a long, athletic cornerback who thrives in coverage. His 4.42 speed and fluid movement skills make him an intriguing developmental prospect with starting upside.

With turnover in the secondary this offseason, Muhammad has a chance to earn rotational snaps early. At minimum, he adds depth and competition to a retooled defensive backfield.

Round 5 (No. 166): Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State

Elliott fits the classic Day 3 mold: productive, physical, and looking to carve out a role.

He racked up 98 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in 2025, showing a knack for finding the football. While there are legitimate concerns about his athletic ceiling, his downhill style and toughness give him immediate value on special teams.

If he proves himself there, he could work his way into defensive reps sooner than expected.

Round 6 (No. 213): Jordan van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech

The Bears closed their draft by adding depth to the defensive line.

Jordan van den Berg is a high-effort interior defender who plays with leverage and motor. He’s not a high-upside pass rusher, but he brings physicality and rotational value to the trenches.

At this stage of the draft, finding players who can contribute in specific roles is key, and Van Den Berg fits that bill.

Final Bears Draft Take: A Clear Identity, But One Big Question

The Chicago Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft class is easy to define.

• Faster
• More physical
• Built for long-term sustainability

Ryan Poles added potential starters in Dillon Thieneman and Logan Jones. He added speed with Zavion Thomas. He reinforced the defense with multiple Day 3 picks who fit the system.

But there’s one glaring omission: the pass rush.

Chicago didn’t land a true difference-maker off the edge, leaving a major question mark heading into the 2026 season. It’s a hole that will likely need to be addressed via trade or veteran free agency.

Still, as a whole, this class reflects a front office sticking to its vision and building a roster that’s getting closer to contention.