2026 Bears mock draft: Super early 3-round predictions

WCG’s lead draft analyst shares his first 2026 Bears mock draft

The Bears just wrapped up the 2025 NFL Draft a few weeks ago, but for NFL organizations, preparing for the draft is a year-round activity.

I use this slow period of the offseason to build up my big board, allowing me to have notes on as many players as I can. So much will change between now and next April, but having an understanding of a prospect’s increase or decrease performance over the course of multiple seasons can provide addition contexts I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Prospect rankings and mock drafts 11 months before the 2026 NFL Draft are hardly meant to be definitive predictions of what a team might do. Instead, it’s an opportunity to shine an early light on top prospects going into the season. In the case of a Bears-centric mock draft, it’s a chance to project which positions they could prioritize next offseason.

My big board for the 2026 NFL Draft is currently over 100 prospects, which gives me plenty to work with going into the summer. That said, it’s not nearly enough for me to feel confidently predict a full seven-round mock draft in an informed manner. Because of this, my first Bears mock draft of the 2026 cycle will only be three rounds.

Without further ado, here’s my first 2026 Bears mock draft.

Round 1: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

It’s entirely possible the Bears don’t need to use high-end capital in an edge rusher next offseason. They signed Dayo Odeyingbo to a deal that indicates plenty of trust in his development, and Austin Booker is a toolsy developmental prospect who could take a leap in Year 2. However, there’s a lot of “what ifs” with the group after not using a single draft pick at the position in 2025.

Faulk fits the physical mold Dennis Allen has historically liked at defensive end. He’s a massive defender at 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds with great length. His size and raw power can see him kick inside of the tackle’s outside shoulder, and he can rush with his hand in the dirt or in a stand-up role. He’s a powerful defender with good strength setting the edge against the run, and he has great spatial awareness stacking and shedding blocks as a run defender.

For such a big edge rusher, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and can win when he rushes across a tackle’s chest and works inside. He is currently my No. 10 player on my big board, though I expect a few quarterbacks get picked before him. Faulk would go a long way towards rounding out the Bears’ edge rusher group.

Round 2: Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon

A lot of Bears fans will push for Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love in Round 1, who was my pick for them in my first 2026 NFL Round 1 mock. He’s my RB1 and certainly would be good value if Chicago picks in the late teens or early 20s. With that in mind, though, there’s always a chance they opt to take a running back a little later, instead.

Hughes is a super productive transfer from Tulane who had 2,776 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in two seasons. He’s an intelligent back with tremendous ball-carrier vision, quick processing of open running lanes and an aggressive mentality. He lowers the shoulder well against defenders and has good contact balance, too.

A lack of elite breakaway speed prevents him from going Round 1 here, but his short-area quickness and agility are really good. He has the tools to be a reliable starting running back at the NFL level.

Round 3: Keon Sabb, S, Alabama

The Bears didn’t take a safety in the 2025 draft, and they currently don’t have a single player at the position under contract heading into next year. While they’ll surely retain at least one of their guys in some capacity, there’s a real chance one of Kevin Byard or Jaquan Brisker isn’t on the team in 2026.

Though I think Sabb could’ve been a late Day 2 pick in 2025 had he declared, I think he could rise a bit with another great year for Alabama. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, he’s a big safety whose size is reflective in his physicality as a tackler. He’s best as a deep safety but can cover in the slot and the box, as well. He has good closing speed and processes quickly with polished instincts in zone coverage, helping him make plays on the ball.

While not elite in terms of his range or pad level as a tackler, Sabb is a well-rounded safety who has the ball skills, size, physicality and intelligence needed to project as a solid starter in the league. If you can get that in Round 3, that’s tremendous value for a team like the Bears.