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#Post#: 525642--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: JACKIEJOKEMAN REDUX Date: March 13, 2026, 6:07 pm
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With what we've lost and what we've gained ...
what are the current priority's in the draft ?
We seem to have lost a lot of secondary's that nobody saw
coming.
Like the Dalman deal.
#Post#: 525666--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: dallasbear Date: March 15, 2026, 2:22 am
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[quote author=VJ link=topic=669.msg525549#msg525549
date=1773350427]
@dpbrugler
Sources: DT Caleb Banks suffered a broken foot at the Combine
that will sideline him until June. The injury happened the
night before his on-field testing. He performed a partial
workout not knowing the extent of the injury. The fracture of
the fourth metatarsal was surgically repaired by Dr. Norman
Waldrop on March 9. NFL teams have been informed.
3:59 PM · Mar 12, 2026
[/quote]
Caleb Banks has had foot problems this past season - surgery
too. Remember the Bears #1 draft pick from years ago David
Terrell was damaged goods. And there was an NBA center that
foot problems in college and never could stay healthy. Can't
recall his name.
Banks is definitely out of the first round, but how far does he
drop?
#Post#: 525669--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: Grizzlybear34 Date: March 15, 2026, 5:32 am
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[quote author=dallasbear link=topic=669.msg525666#msg525666
date=1773559341]
Caleb Banks has had foot problems this past season - surgery
too. Remember the Bears #1 draft pick from years ago David
Terrell was damaged goods. And there was an NBA center that
foot problems in college and never could stay healthy. Can't
recall his name.
Banks is definitely out of the first round, but how far does he
drop?
[/quote]
Yikes! Wasn't aware of that, big red flag for a more than
chronic injury. Feel bad for the kid, he has to be seriously
disappointed.
#Post#: 525698--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: boogie Date: March 16, 2026, 11:18 am
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The Chicago Bears did not make any splash moves during the
opening week of free agency, leaving more questions than
answers. Chicago is looking to build off their 2025 season in
which they won 11 games, won the NFC North, and made it to the
NFC divisional playoff round where they were bounced out by the
Los Angeles Rams, bringing an end to the first season under Ben
Johnson.
With the first week of free agency in the books, the Bears'
fanbase have concerns about what the team is going to do at the
left tackle position, as well on the defensive side of the ball,
at every level. Chicago has a total of seven picks in the 2026
NFL Draft, including two in both the second and seventh rounds,
giving general manager Ryan Poles plenty of ammunition to either
make a trade or just use the draft to fill out their roster.
Looking past the first week of free agency in which Chicago's
biggest move was signing safety Coby Bryant, the draft will
offer an opportunity to replace departed veterans like Kevin
Byard and Jaquan Brisker, who departed for other teams.
Here's our latest mock draft following the first week of free
agency:
Round 1, Pick 25: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
After losing both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency,
and only signing Coby Bryant, leaves a big hole at safety.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may not fit the biggest focus of adding
speed to Chicago's defense, but his ability to make plays on the
ball and get matched up with big wide receivers and tight ends
could be a great complement next to Bryant in the secondary.
Round 2, Pick 57: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas St.
Following the abrupt retirement of veteran Drew Dalman, the
Bears front office wasted little in finding his replacement by
acquiring veteran Garrett Bradbury in a trade with the New
England Patriots. Chicago ignited some fire into the interest
for Sam Hecht, one of the top rated centers in this year's draft
class, as they were on-hand at the Kansas State Pro Day last
week. Hecht would get an opportunity to sit behind Bradbury and
get plenty of learning lessons from the coaching staff and
veterans on the offensive line.
Round 2, Pick 60 (via BUF): Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
Chicago did not bring in any big time defensive tackles in the
first week of free agency, but they signed two players at the
position for depth purposes. The attention they put on defensive
tackle could mean the team will target an edge rusher with their
second pick in the second round, making Gabe Jacas a great
target. He's a pass rusher who can put his hand in the ground or
just attack off the edge, and he projects as a bully type of
pass rusher who plays with brutal force.
Round 3, Pick 89: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
LT Overton's flexibility could be key for a fit inside Dennis
Allen's defense, and the lack of attention to edge rusher calls
for back-to-back picks for Chicago. There has been a mentioned
emphasis on improving the Bears run defense in the 2026 season,
and Overton can do just that at the edge position. But he'll
take time to develop into a three-down defender who can be on
the field at all times.
Round 4, Pick 129 (via LAR): Lander Barton, LB, Utah
The good thing for Lander Barton is he'd have some great
veterans ahead of him to learn from in Devin Bush and TJ
Edwards, but he could be an underrated addition for a linebacker
who can excel in pass coverage. Barton's weakness calls for a
need to improve as a run stopper, but he's got the speed that
this coaching staff is looking for and plays with excellent
range.
Round 7, Pick 238 (via PHI): Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
Chicago has lost two wide receivers and a key player on special
teams from the 2025 season, seeing both Devin Duvernay and
Olamide Zaccheaus depart in free agency. Enter Zavion Thomas,
who may not see any opportunities in the offense at the wide
receiver position, but he could excel on special teams behind
the newly-signed Kalif Raymond. There's no denying that Raymond
will be the team's top return specialist, but Thomas' elite
speed could get him a spot in Chicago.
Round 7, Pick 240: Lorenzo Styles Jr., S, Ohio St.
The brother of projected first-round pick, linebacker Sonny
Styles, Lorenzo Styles could be a late-round steal for Chicago
at the safety position. A former wide-receiver turned to safety,
Styles could be best described as a center fielder in the
secondary, who also, has great speed that the Bears are looking
for. He'll need to improve on limiting big-plays against him,
but Styles could break through with an opportunity under
defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
#Post#: 525772--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: dallasbear Date: March 18, 2026, 12:34 pm
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I'm a bit concerned about safety. Typically Poles has his
starting lineup set BEFORE the draft. You don't want to go into
a draft with any big holes where you have to depend on a rookie
starting.
Right now there is a big hole at safety...strong safety.
Typically a SS isn't a premium position - you can find them
later in the draft.
But many think Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has the potential to
replace Brisker in the starting lineup. Very similar qualities
but EMW is almost 2" taller.
I just don't know about getting spending a #1 on a box safety
when pass rush is such a HUGE need. I'm thinking addressing
this on day 2.
#Post#: 525773--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: JeffH Date: March 18, 2026, 12:45 pm
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We're still more than a month away from the draft.
#Post#: 525774--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: boogie Date: March 18, 2026, 12:50 pm
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Hoge and Jahns were saying would you rather have the #2 or #3 S
or go with the #6 or #7 EDGE. It is something to consider.
#Post#: 525775--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: davebear Date: March 18, 2026, 1:26 pm
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Depends which they feel will have more impact.
#Post#: 525777--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: dallasbear Date: March 18, 2026, 3:48 pm
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[quote author=boogie link=topic=669.msg525774#msg525774
date=1773856243]
Hoge and Jahns were saying would you rather have the #2 or #3 S
or go with the #6 or #7 EDGE. It is something to consider.
[/quote]
I've seen mocks where all 3 safeties are gone by 25. So it
might not matter.
The position ranking doesn't mean all that much. What needs to
be considered is whether the #6 or 7 EDGE is a better player
than the #2 or #3 safety. The #10 edge may be better than the
#3 safety. Do you want the #3 QB or the #6 Edge?
Last year Poles with BJ's help surprised pretty much all of us
going after a TE and not the TE that was supposedly higher
ranked. Even Burden was a surprise too.
But we all know there is a HUGE need for a pass rush. I think I
screamed at the TV as much at our weak pass rush as I did Caleb
for holding the ball too damn long and missing open receivers.
I'm thinking DT at 25 is gonna be a reach. Maybe a trade down
or they go for a DE which is pretty loaded this year.
Unlike many here I actually like our DE starter (big Booker fan)
, but they need to add one more quality guy into the rotation at
DE (and not Dayo).
CB and RB are more of a pressing need next year as Tyrique,
Smith and Swift will be FAs. WR - we lost 3 and added 1 in free
agency. I saw a mock with the Bears drafting an Arizona St. WR
at 25.
Thankfully we have 3 picks in the first 2 rounds but should have
had 5 picks in the top 100 with that comp pick.
#Post#: 525778--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2026 NFL Draft
By: davebear Date: March 18, 2026, 4:15 pm
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I think there’s going to be a couple each of DT’s, edges and
safeties they like when 25 comes so they trade back.
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