Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles fortifies Chicago's offensive line and then adds an edge rusher and safety to address major holes on the defense in this three-round 2026 NFL mock draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft is next week.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and the rest of his staff will use all of the scouting notes, interviews and data to guide the team as they assess their big board during the draft.
Coach Ben Johnson has some areas to address on his roster, and Poles must provide his second-year head coach with the right assets so the team can take another step after a successful 2025 season.
Using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator, I took Poles' role as the lead football decision maker and selected the Bears' four picks through the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here is one of the countless ways this draft can go for Chicago.
Round 1, Pick 25: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Poles drafts his long-term starter at left tackle with the 6-foot-6, 321-pound offensive linemen. Max Iheanachor has played primarily at right tackle throughout his three years at Arizona State, but this move is made with the mindset that he can move to the left side.
He didn't allow any sacks in his final season at Arizona State, and despite being relatively new to football, his overall athleticism translates when he gets in space and has to mirror edge rushers.
With veterans Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills and Theo Benedet ahead of Iheanachor, one of those players might end up starting Week 1, but it would be only a matter of time before the rookie's talent is too good to keep off the field.
Round 2, Pick 57: C Sam Hecht, Kansas State
The Bears aren't fooling around and continue upgrading the offensive line by selecting center Sam Hecht. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound offensive lineman didn't give up any sacks or commit any penalties in 2025.
According to the BEAST, Hecht is an "intelligent player who quickly picks up on things," and is someone who has "enough lateral quickness to work a gap over on stretch or zone" concepts.
Those traits fit what the Bears need in a long-term center. Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar and assistant O-line coach Kyle Devan put the offensive linemen through the drills during Kansas State's Pro Day.
Round 2, Pick 60: ED Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen gets himself a pass rusher in Dani Dennis-Sutton, who checks a lot of the boxes that the team is looking for in the edge position. At 6-foot-5, 256 pounds, Dennis-Sutton has the frame that fits in Allen's scheme.
Dennis-Sutton finished his four-year career at Penn State with 23.5 sacks in 55 games played. He was one of the top performers at the NFL Scouting Combine and had one of the best "Relative Athletic Scores" for a defensive end since 1987.
Round 3, Pick 89: S Kamari Ramsey, USC
The Bears complete the backend of their defense with safety Kamari Ramsey. The 6-foot, 200-pound defensive back was forced to play in the nickel this past season because of injuries to USC's defense, but he's a natural safety.
Although he only had two career interceptions, he had 13 pass breakups in his four years in college (two at USC and two at UCLA). The 21 year old plays with good instincts and finished his senior season with a career high 89.7 PFF tackling grade.
With the Bears' final pick on Day 2 in the draft, the defense adds a versatile playmaker who should be a good compliment to Bears safety Coby Bryant.