The Chicago Bears have made upgrades to safety and defensive tackle in free agency, but what is the bigger need between those two positions for the team to address in the 2026 NFL Draft?
There were a few questions that I didn't get to from last week's Chicago Bears mailbag submissions, so now is a good time to answer those.
With the 2026 NFL Draft exactly two weeks ago, it's always a good idea to assess the Bears' roster and determine what the team still needs.
This fan question helps to set the stage.
Biggest need for the Chicago Bears, Safety or DT? -- @TripleJay28
Before stating what the bigger need is between the two positions, here is what the Bears have on their roster as of now.
Defensive tackles
- Gervon Dexter Sr.
- Neville Gallimore
- Grady Jarrett
- James Lynch
- Kentavius Street
- Shemar Turner
Safety
- Coby Bryant
- Elijah Hicks
- Cam Lewis
- Garvarrius Owens
You can just do the eye test and see that safety is a more pressing need for this Bears defense. Bryant solidifies one spot, but the other is completely open. For the defensive line as well, Dayo Odeyingbo can also kick inside depending on the down and distance and situation in the game.
The defensive line has far more options to play snaps throughout a game. This is not saying the Bears can't add another talented rookie in the mix, but between defensive line and safety, the latter is a more pressing need.
The Bears signed Lewis to a two-year, $6 million contract and has plenty of versatility to his game, having lined up in the slot, box, free safety and on the defensive line at times while he was at Buffalo.
But the Bears would be wise to still add young defensive playmaker on the backend to compete for that starting safety position. What the team would ideally want is a versatile defender who is comfortable playing in a variety of roles. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has openly discussed a player's flexibility as an important trait it today's NFL.
Two players who embody that position flexibility that could be available on Day 2 of the draft are South Carolina's Jalon Kilgore and Miami's Keionte Scott. Both defensive back prospects primarily played in the slot at their respective schools, but they both project to play more of that safety, big nickel role in the NFL.
That's the type of player who would be appealing to Allen and the rest of this Bears staff. Kilgore is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound defensive back who has eight career interceptions in three seasons in college. Scott only has two interceptions, but the 6-foot, 194-pound DB finished with a 90.5 overall Pro Football Focus defensive grade, third among 897 qualified cornerbacks.
Both those prospects bring their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and would help fill an important spot on the Bears' roster.