Ryan Poles made it a priority to add interior defensive linemen in free agency, but the Bears' general manager is still looking at some top-end talent in the 2026 draft.
The Chicago Bears have added some interior defensive linemen through free agency, but that isn’t stopping the team from doing its research on one of the top prospects at the position in the 2026 NFL Draft.
According to Sports Illustrated, Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald has a top 30 visit scheduled with the Bears. The massive 6-foot-3, 326-pound interior lineman also had a formal meeting with Chicago at the NFL Combine.
With a confirmed top 30 visit, McDonald is on the Bears’ radar, meaning Chicago is serious about creating a violent defensive line.
McDonald finished his junior season with three sacks, 65 total tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. According to Pro Football Focus, McDonald ended with a 92.0 run defense grade, ranking first among 887 interior defensive linemen.
As a run defender, McDonald is a gigantic space eater and would help improve the Bears' current defensive tackles, who struggled to stop the run last season. Bears defensive tackles finished with a 4.5 run stop percentage, ranking 31st out of 32 teams. McDonald was arguably the best defensive tackle in the country last season, and his ability to stop the run would be a much-needed addition for Dennis Allen's defense.
With McDonald's size and strength, he is going to require double teams, which should create opportunities for his potential future teammates. Devin Bush, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract, would greatly benefit from McDonald taking up blocks. The new Bears' linebacker has elite speed and would have a better opportunity to get through the line of scrimmage to make plays in the backfield.
McDonald's strength is his ability to stop the run. As a pass rusher, there is more to be desired. Through three college seasons, McDonald finished with just 17 total quarterback pressures, and 14 of those pressures occurred during his junior season. Bears defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett would have to come up with a plan to improve McDonald's rush plan to become more effective at getting to the quarterback.
The Ohio State defensive tackle would likely be selected within the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. It wouldn't be a surprise if he drafted on night one. If that is the situation, then the Bears would have to use the No. 25 overall pick to select him.
The Bears will have done extensive research and mock drafts to see where McDonald will land, and there could be a possibility that he is available when Chicago selects at No. 57 or 60.
With a talent like McDonald, it makes sense the Bears have him on their radar. Selecting him in the 2026 NFL Draft would add a foundational anchor in the interior of the Bears' defense for the foreseeable future.