ESPN analyst Ben Solak detailed how all 32 NFL teams can get an "A" grade in the 2026 NFL Draft. Find out what moves Solak has the Bears making to qualify for a successful draft.
Exactly a week from now, NFL fans will be tuned in to their television sets, waiting with anticipation to see who their respective teams select in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears are coming off a 2025 draft class that landed the team some major contributors on the offensive side of the ball: tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and running back Kyle Monangai.
General manager Ryan Poles will look to replicate that type of success in next week's draft, which features six total draft picks.
- Round 1, Pick 25
- Round 2, Pick 57 and 60
- Round 3, Pick 89
- Round 4, Pick 129
- Round 7, Pick 239 and 241
ESPN's Ben Solak laid out a rubric for all 32 NFL teams on how they can earn themselves an "A" grade in the 2026 NFL draft.
Let's look into these qualifications and assess if this strategy would be the best fit for the Bears.
Solak wrote that the Bears have some "tricky positions of need at both edge rusher and defensive tackle" and although they have depth at the positions, the team is lacking a star player.
Tough to argue with that assessment. The best player of those positions groups is Montez Sweat, who isn't a "star player" at the edge position.
The article also mentioned the Bears would "need to swing for the fences to find an EDGE1 or DTI at No. 25, especially with this poor defensive tackle class."
Two defensive tackles that he likes for Chicago are Florida's Caleb Banks and Clemson's Peter Woods, but acknowledges that both have high upside but high risk.
When it comes to swinging for the fences to address edge rusher, Solak wrote that the Bears should consider trading up if someone falls, and he highlighted Miami's Akheem Mesidor. Despite being a 25-year-old rookie, he would provide the defensive line with a quality compliment opposite of Sweat. Cashius Howell from Texas A&M was also mentioned. Solak admitted Howell (6-foot-2, 253 pounds) is undersized for a traditional defensive end in Dennis Allen's defense.
Not sure about moving up in this draft, especially if it requires giving up draft capital in 2026. Mesidor would fit the Bears' defense and if he's available at 25, Poles can have NFL commissioner Roger Goodell read off his name in Pittsburgh. As for Howell, the Bears would best to avoid trading up for an undersized edge.
Some other scenarios that Solak provided was the possibility of the Bears trading back, "hoping to solve the defensive line problem with a midseason trade or internal development."
This is an interesting approach. The Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency and drafted Shemar Turner in the second round last year, and both had season-ending injuries, but should be in the mix to contribute on defense. Banking on that to happen shouldn't be on the approach, which emphasizes the need to draft D-linemen.
Solak also highlighted needs at cornerback, center, wide receiver, running back and offensive tackle. All those positions can add players to contend with current players on the Bears' roster.
This is how Solak closed the Bears' section of the article.
"The bottom line: A lot of positions could use a developmental starter, so let the board fall to you -- unless a splash player at defensive tackle or edge rusher is gettable."
If the Bears let the board fall to them and address positions of need without reaching for players, then that will earn them an "A" grade. Trading up and giving up draft capital in 2026 or 2027 could be risky move, considering how many holes are on this Bears roster.
Poles will go with the best-player-available approach to ensure he selects good football players to continue elevating the talent on his roster.