The 2026 NFL Draft class has several pass rushers that the Chicago Bears should consider in the first round. Here are three that stand out above the rest.
The 2026 NFL Draft class is characterized as having a deep pool of edge rushers, a position the Chicago Bears could use some help at after struggling to apply consistent quarterback pressure last season.
With the Bears’ owning the 25th overall pick in the first round, that could be the sweet spot to select an impact player to help Dennis Allen’s defense. The Bears’ defensive coordinator has consistently utilized lengthy edge rushers who can set the edge in the run game and can rush the quarterback.
If there is an edge rusher available when the Bears are on the clock, the team will look at their draft board to determine if that particular player’s grade correlates with the draft selection spot. If those check out, then Allen will have a first-round pick to deploy in his defense.
There are plenty of edge rushers who would fit in this Bears defense, but here are three prospects who made ESPN’s Matt Bowen’s 100 list of players who fit particular superlatives from this 2026 Draft class.
Best motor: Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Bowen’s explanation: “I would expect NFL defensive line coaches to have high grades on Mesidor based on his relentless play style. The 25-year-old will find the quarterback and/or the ball carrier late in the down. Mesidor had 12.5 sacks for the Hurricanes last season.”
Being 25 has its drawbacks and perks, but Mesidor would give the Bears an experienced edge rusher who constantly gives maximum effort. The Bears are ready to compete now, and the disruptive player from the Hurricanes would give Chicago’s defense exactly what it needs to elevate the unit in 2026.
Best edge setter: Zion Young, Missouri
Bowen’s explanation: “In addition to his 6.5 sacks, Young made 16 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage in 2025. Using his 6-6 frame, he should be able to play through blockers and set the edge at the next level.”
As much as the Bears need more productive quarterback pressure from the D-line, the defense also has to stop the run at a more consistent clip. According to Pro Football Focus, Young finished with a 85.1 run defense grade, ranking 27th among 852 edge rushers last season.
Fastest closing speed to QB: Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Bowen’s explanation: “The closing speed jumps out when watching Lawrence on tape. He erases the distance to the quarterback in a hurry, and he has multiple counter moves to get there. Lawrence had seven sacks and 31 pressures in 2025. And his 4.52-second 40 time was third among edges at the combine.”
The Bears have openly discussed wanting to increase the defense's speed going into the 2026 season. Lawrence easily checks that box. With 20 sacks over his four seasons at UCF, Lawrence would give the Bears' defense a 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher who knows how to get to the quarterback, and does so consistently by using his hands to fight off blockers.