Chicago Bears Earn Top-10 Ranking for 2026 NFL Draft Class
The Chicago Bears continue receiving strong reviews for their 2026 NFL Draft class, including a new top-10 ranking highlighted by Dillon Thieneman and Logan Jones.
It’s still far too early to know how the Chicago Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft class will ultimately be remembered, but the early reviews from draft analysts continue trending in the right direction.
The latest praise came from NFL Draft on SI analyst Justin Melo, who ranked the Bears’ draft class No. 10 overall among all 32 NFL teams.
“Nobody expected Dillon Thieneman to last until No. 25, and the Chicago Bears needed an instant-impact safety after losing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker,” Melo wrote. “Second-round center Logan Jones is an excellent fit in Ben Johnson’s scheme as an athletic pivot. They arguably reached on Zavion Thomas, who may be a special-teams-only player, though he could develop into an elite returner. Sam Roush was the best blocking tight end in the class, and sixth-round linebacker Keyshaun Elliott has two-down starting potential.”
As has been the case since draft weekend, Thieneman remains the centerpiece of Chicago’s class. The former Oregon safety was widely viewed as one of the top defensive backs in the draft, and landing him at No. 25 overall continues to look like one of the better value picks of the first round.
Logan Jones Might Be Chicago Bears' Most Important Rookie in 2026
Still, there’s a strong argument that Logan Jones could end up being the Bears’ most important rookie in 2026.
Chicago signed Garrett Bradbury after Drew Dalman’s unexpected retirement created a major void at center. But there are still legitimate questions about whether Bradbury is a long-term answer or simply a short-term stabilizer. If Bradbury struggles, the Bears may have little choice but to fast-track Jones into the lineup.
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That scenario might not be a bad thing.
Jones was viewed by many evaluators as the top center in the 2026 NFL Draft. His athletic profile and movement skills make him an especially clean fit in Ben Johnson’s offense. Several draft analysts even compared his game to Dalman’s, which could help ease concerns about whether Chicago’s offensive line can maintain continuity in front of Caleb Williams this season.
