With most NFL free agents signed, fans are now turning their attention to the NFL draft. The Chicago Bears are still in need of roster help, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. In this mock draft, the Bears will focus on improving the spine of their defense while also adding depth pieces on offense.
In this mock draft, the Chicago Bears used their first pick on defensive tackle Peter Woods. Woods is an intriguing prospect who had an up-and-down college career at Clemson. In 2024, he undoubtedly had his best college season, recording eight and a half tackles for loss as well as three and a half sacks. In 2025, his production dipped, and he didn’t win his reps as consistently, although it’s important to note that he played more nose tackle, which may have limited his ability to rush the passer.
Overall, Woods is a well-rounded player who can win reps in numerous ways. He is an explosive athlete with swift lateral movement and good instincts, which allows him to fight through blocks to make plays. Woods would likely start as a rotational three-technique in Dennis Allen’s defense, as his inconsistency against double teams leaves Woods as a potential liability at nose tackle early in his career. Still, his athleticism could allow him to grow into this role as well.
With their first pick in the second round, Chicago continues to beef up their interior defensive line, selecting the 6’4 and 321 lbs defensive tackle Christen Miller. Miller is a beast in the run game, as through the use of upper body power, heavy hands, and an ability to quickly diagnose run concepts, he squash plays before they even get started.
Miller also has a quick first step that allows him to close in on running lanes before they fully form. He also plays with good technique, keeping proper pad level throughout plays, and rarely gets pushed back. He also consistently sheds blocks and gets tackles close to the line of scrimmage. Add in an insanely high motor, and Miller has the potential to be a dominant NFL run stuffer.
Miller is not a perfect prospect, lacking consistent pass rush; he would likely struggle to get pressure on passing downs in the NFL. He overly relies on his power, and bull rushes to win reps, and lacks many counters, making him somewhat of a one-trick pony.
Miller projects to be an immediate starter on the Bears’ defense and would likely be their best run defender on the interior defensive line. He would slot in as the team’s primary nose tackle on early downs and run situations. Some combination of Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, Neville Gallimore, and Peter Woods would play at the three technique position and in passing situations.
In this mock draft, the Bears used the pick acquired in the DJ Moore trade to select edge Gabe Jacas out of Illinois. Jacas stands at 6’4, 260 lbs, while boasting 33 in arms, making him a prototypical Dennis Allen defensive end. He also was extremely productive at Illinois, tallying 93 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 19 sacks in his last two seasons in college.
Although Jacas lacks creativity as a pass rusher, bend, and short-area agility, he makes up for it with ridiculous strength, which allows him to hold up against the run and collapse pockets.
Jacas could provide immediate value as a rotational edge rusher, especially on early downs for run support, since he has the strength to battle against NFL offensive linemen. He still has enough skill to be a threat as a pass rusher at the next level, and could help divert attention from other Bears’ pass rushers, like Montez Sweat. Jacas is also extremely experienced and was a team captain in college, which could make him a valuable player to have in the locker room. This is important since many team leaders from the 2025 season departed, like Tremaine Edmunds and Kevin Byard.
In this mock, the Bears round out day two of the draft by taking safety Zakee Wheatley out of Penn State. Wheatley is a toolsy prospect, standing at 6’3 and 203 lbs, who possesses good speed and athleticism. This size and speed make him capable of covering large parts of the field, while also allowing for quick downhill pursuits of ball carriers.
Wheatley is also able to read the field well, both in man and zone coverage. He is able to move his hips well to cover receivers or match lateral movements, making him a tough player to outmaneuver. He sometimes struggles against the run, playing with inconsistent technique, leading to missed tackles and getting stuck against blocks. With proper coaching, this could be polished up, but it’s important to note that Wheatley did spend five years in college and will be 25 as a rookie.
Overall, Wheatley is a solid player who has the tools and athletic ability to succeed at the NFL level. He has missed tackles due to poor technique and is an older prospect, but he did show consistent improvement throughout college, suggesting he can get better in the NFL. He would likely be a day-one starter for the Bears, where he would play next to free agent addition Coby Bryant.
With their first pick in the fourth round, Chicago ended up with the Alabama center, Parker Brailsford. Brailsford is an intriguing developmental prospect due to his elite movement abilities, highlighted by his 4.95-second 40-yard dash.
Ideally, he will play in a system that prioritizes a zone run scheme, which Ben Johnson does make good use of. Since Brailsford is undersized at 6’2 and 289 lbs, he is better used in a system that keeps him on the move. The Bears’ previous center, Drew Dalman, and current center, Garrett Bradbury, are both similar players who are on the smaller side.
So, with proper development as a pass protector, Brailsford could be a potential succession plan for Garrett Bradbury, who is in the last year of his deal.
With the first of two seventh-round picks, the Bears took running back Rahsul Faison. Faison is an intriguing prospect who runs with a patient and slashing style. He is a natural runner who can cut abruptly and quickly change direction, making him difficult to bring down. Faison is also capable of fighting through contact with good balance and can drop the shoulder to get a few extra yards at the end of plays. His vision and instincts are solid, which could help him have a smooth transition into the NFL. He is also a capable pass catcher.
Faison is an older prospect who will be 26 as a rookie, which could result in a short NFL career. He also lacks breakaway speed, which limits his big-play ability. His inconsistency in predicting where running lanes will open may lead to no gain plays. Faison also has no special team experience, which may limit his worth as a player since he would very likely be behind D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monagai as a rookie.
Overall, Rahsul Faison has the vision, running ability, and experience to make an impact at the NFL level, but his shortcomings could outweigh that. As a seventh-round pick, he still could be a valuable player and potential future D’Andre Swift replacement, who currently is in the last year of his deal.
Rounding out this mock draft, the Bears took TJ Hall with their last pick. Hall is a long and toolsy corner who also possesses solid NFL-level athleticism. Hall was a capable man corner who could move fast enough to match most routes. He also plays with an impressive physicality, making him a serious asset against the run and at the catch point. Hall can also quickly catch up to receivers after they catch the ball, limiting after-the-catch opportunities for opponents.
Hall can struggle to keep up mentally with the play, instead relying on his speed and athleticism to make plays. He also lacks elite long speed, leading to struggles against deeper routes. Although his technique is not bad, it will likely need more polish at the NFL level.
Hall projects as a depth piece and potential special-teams player for the Bears as a rookie. With the Bears’ cornerbacks, Tyrique Stevenson and Terrell Smith, both in the last years of their contracts, Hall provides future security at the cornerback position.
This draft class would greatly reinforce the Bears’ defense while also adding developmental players on the offensive side of the ball that could potentially replace current starters who are in the last years of their contracts.
On the defensive line, the additions of Peter Woods and Christen Miller would add much-needed size and run-stopping ability on the interior. Both of these players could also be long-term replacements for Gervon Dexter, who is in the last year of his contract, and Grady Jarrett, who will likely be cut for cap savings next offseason. Gabe Jacas would provide size, power, and run-stuffing ability on early downs with pass-rushing upside off the edge. He would be a major contributor in an edge rotation of Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Dayo Odeyingbo. He would also give the Bears flexibility to move on from Odeyingbo next offseason for large cap savings.
Peter Brailsford and Rahsul Faison are in different stages of their careers regarding age and development, but both could give the Bears depth and potential starting ability in the future. Brailsford, in particular, is intriguing due to his elite movement skills and similarities to the other two centers that Ben Johnson has picked out while in Chicago.
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