Best, Worst, and Most Surprising Pick of Chicago Bears' 2026 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft is officially complete, and, on balance, general manager Ryan Poles and his scouting department delivered a strong class.

Not every pick landed the same, of course. Some selections project as immediate impact players, while others raise fair questions about value and roster fit.

Here’s an early breakdown of the best, worst, and most surprising pick from Chicago’s 2026 draft haul.

Best Pick: Logan Jones, C, Iowa (2nd Round)

For years, center has been a revolving door for the Chicago Bears. The brief stability provided by Drew Dalman vanished with his unexpected retirement, forcing the front office to pivot with a short-term fix in Garrett Bradbury.

That’s what makes Logan Jones such a critical selection.

Widely viewed as one of the top centers in the 2026 class, Jones brings the kind of long-term stability Chicago has lacked in the middle of its offensive line. The 2025 Rimington Award winner checks every box: experience, athleticism, and power at the point of attack.

More importantly, he offers a succession plan beyond 2026, when Bradbury’s contract expires.

If Jones develops as expected, the Bears may have finally solved a problem that has lingered since the days of Olin Kreutz.

Worst Pick: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford (3rd Round)

This isn’t an indictment of Sam Roush as a player; it’s about value and roster construction.

Roush projects as a useful piece, especially as a blocker in the run game. In Ben Johnson’s offense, tight ends matter, and Roush should find a role early in his career.

But the context makes this pick difficult to justify.

The Bears already feature a strong tight end duo in Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, while glaring needs remain along the defensive front. Passing on edge rushers and interior defensive linemen at this stage of the draft feels like a missed opportunity.

Roush may contribute, but it’s hard to see him delivering third-round value anytime soon, given the current depth chart.

Most Surprising Pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (1st Round)

Dillon Thieneman could easily have been labeled the Bears’ best pick. Instead, he lands here for one simple reason: no one expected him to be available at No. 25.

His fall into Chicago’s lap reshaped the entire first round.

Thieneman embodies the identity the Bears are building on defense: speed, physicality, and versatility. He’s a plug-and-play starter with the range to impact both the run and pass game, and he pairs seamlessly with Coby Bryant to form a high-upside safety tandem.

Entering draft weekend, this scenario felt unlikely. By the end of Thursday night, it became reality, and one that could define this class for years to come.