2026 Bears mock draft: Super early 7-round predictions

WCG’s lead draft analyst shares his way-too-early predictions for the Bears’ 2026 draft haul.

Bears training camp hasn’t even started yet, which naturally makes it a perfect time to speculate about the 2026 NFL Draft.

I say this somewhat facetiously, seeing as though a lot will change between now and next April. However, NFL teams treat the draft as a year-round process, and in order to watch as many prospects and as much tape as possible, I do the same. It’s an easy way to kill the time in the dead period of the offseason.

It remains to be seen how the Bears will fare in 2025, but it’s easy to see on paper what the team’s strengths and weaknesses are. They should have a much improved team this coming year, but there’s always more work to be done.

Without further ado, here is my first Bears seven-round mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Round 1: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

The Bears’ starting tandem of edge rushers seems set for 2025. However, Montez Sweat is coming off a down year, and Dayo Odeyingbo’s sack production was inconsistent during his time with the Colts. I’m not sold this will be their long-term duo rushing off the edge.

Rueben Bain Jr. is one of my favorite defensive prospects in the 2026 draft. He’s a physical defender at 6’3” and 275 pounds who has inside-outside versatility rushing the passer. His speed-to-power is impressive, as he uses his short-area quickness, muscular frame and deep pass-rushing arsenal to generate pressure off the edge.

As a run defender, he stands his ground with a strong anchor and above-average instincts setting the edge. He could stand to shed a few pounds to improve his spatial agility, but Bain has high-floor starting edge rusher written all over him.

Round 2: Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M

T.J. Edwards seems to stick around for the long haul after his contract extension this year, but Tremaine Edmunds has an out in his contract next offseason. The Bears don’t have much proven talent behind them at linebacker, which could make it a need in 2026.

I get major Nick Bolton vibes when I watch Taurean York’s 2024 tape. He’s not the lengthiest linebacker, nor is he the most agile. That said, his intelligence and communication skills at the second level could make him an effective MIKE in the NFL. He processes quickly and takes precise pursuit angles as a run defender.

He’s strong, squatty and wraps up consistently at the point of attack. York has the potential to be a tackling machine at the next level.

Round 3: C.J. Baxter, RB, Texas

The Bears have a weak running back room heading into the 2025 season. Luckily for them, they have deep free agency and draft classes to work with next offseason. Upgrading the position should be a priority in 2026.

C.J. Baxter missed last season due to injury, but he looked really good as a true freshman in 2023. He finished the year with 659 rushing yards and five touchdowns, splitting carries with 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks. He’s a powerful, determined back who puts his 6’1”, 220-pound frame to good use when churning through contact.

His ball-carrier vision is impressive, as he excels at varying his tempo to let them play develop and explode through an open running lane. Baxter has NFL starting potential and heads into 2025 forming an elite backfield duo at Texas with Tre Wisner, who’s another early-round running back prospect worth considering.

Round 4 (via Rams): Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana

As it currently stands, the Bears don’t have any safeties under contract going into the 2026 offseason. They’ll likely make moves there in free agency, but drafting talent at the position should be a priority next year, too.

Amare Ferrell is coming off a four-interception season at Indiana last year. He has prototypical strong safety size at 6’2” and 200 pounds, and he has the catch radius to match that elite frame. He’s sharp as a tack in coverage, showing off quick processing abilities and tremendous route recognition.

He tracks the ball down well as a deep safety, and he’s aggressive enough to make plays on the ball downhill. He falls a little bit due to average athleticism, but Ferrell is a damn good football player who could become a rock-solid starter in the NFL in due time.

Round 5: J.C. Davis, OT/OG, Illinois

The Bears have a strong starting offensive line on paper heading into 2025. That said, there’s no such things as too much depth up front, as fans of the team will surely attest.

J.C. Davis has been a starting left tackle for three seasons between stints at Illinois and New Mexico, but I project him best at guard. In theory, his inside-outside versatility on the offensive line should be enticing to teams. He’s a refined technician who blocks with impressive pad level and weight distribution.

He uses his hands well with proper timing, placement and power behind his strikes. His in-game athleticism is pretty average for a tackle, hence the kick inside. I think a move to guard would allow his play strength and high-level technique to shine, giving him depth value and potential starting upside down the line.

Round 6: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

This offseason, the Bears invested heavily in speed by adding players like Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay. The one skillset they lack on their bench, though, is a true size-speed threat.

The younger brother of Trey Lance, Bryce Lance had a breakout year at North Dakota State with 75 catches for 1,069 yards and 17 touchdowns with just a 2.6% drop rate. He’s raw as a route runner and will carry profile concerns as a small-school prospect, which could hurt his draft stock a bit.

That said, he’s a big receiver at 6’3” and 204 pounds with an ideal combination of size, strength and speed. His enormous upside makes him a player worth taking a shot on developing. He enters this year as one of the top small-school prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Round 7: Tellek Lockette, OG, Texas State

Like I previously mentioned, there’s no such thing as too much offensive line depth. The Bears could take a flier on a talent to compete for a roster spot in the 2026 draft.

Tellek Lockette has been on my radar for a few years now, having started as a true freshman at UL-Monroe and excelling last year at Texas State. He’s a powerful guard prospect with center versatility from his high school days. He packs a mean punch and generates every bit of lower-body force he’s got in his 327-pound frame.

He has a high motor with solid spatial awareness, both as a run blocker and in pass protection. He won’t wow you with his speed or agility, but he’s a study interior offensive lineman with good fundamentals and very good play strength that should put him firmly on NFL radars.

Round 7 (projected compensatory pick): Tyreek Chappell, CB, Texas A&M

The Bears have invested in outside cornerback depth in recent drafts with players like Terrel Smith and Zah Frazier. It wouldn’t be out of the question to see them add a nickel cornerback prospect to compete for a roster spot on Day 3 next year, then.

Tyreek Chappell missed all but two games in 2024 due to injury, but he showed chops when Texas A&M moved him into the slot. He’ll have four seasons of starting tape to go off of by the end of the 2025 campaign. He’s an intelligent coverage cornerback who processes route concepts well, and he’s a fluid defender who can change direction well and mirror the movements of opposing receivers.

A move inside is the right call for Chappell, who’s a bit undersized and lacking in physicality closer to the line of scrimmage. If he stays healthy in 2025, he deserves to get drafted next April.