What’s the Best Strategy for Bears in 2026 NFL Draft?
Ryan Poles and the rest of the Bears’ scouts have been on endless runs, trying to figure out how best to attack the 2026 Draft board to establish the “sustained success” the Bears have been looking for since the 80s.
What Are the “Holes” on the Roster?
Well, I ain’t trying to be Captain Obvious here, but everyone knows what the Bears’ biggest weakness is: pass rush, defensive line in general, and secondary speed are the main holes on this roster.
You will notice that all of those are on the defensive side, but that doesn’t mean the offense will be neglected.
Since Ben Johnson is also part of the roster building, I would imagine he doesn’t leave the draft without another asset added to his side. Think of the center of the future since Drew Dalman suddenly retired at age 27.
I could also see another WR, but a speedster at that. Bears have loaded up on skill position players in recent years, with Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and Luther Burden; however, Ben Johnson has always preferred to have a speedster to take the top off.
Jameson Williams was the guy Ben Johnson had in Detroit, along with Khalif Raymond. Raymond signed with the Bears this offseason, but one more weapon obviously wouldn’t hurt.
But the defensive side desperately needs that youth injection.
If the Bears can have a draft like the 2025 draft, they could look dangerous, but what is the path to it?
Draft Strategy
I have always been a proponent of Best Player Available (BPA), and the Bears seemed to agree last year. Selecting Colston Loveland didn’t address a need, but Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles thought Loveland was the best on the board and let the aftermath dictate the decision.
Loveland turned out to be a stud. So too did Luther Burden select him 39th overall. These players were tremendous additions in what turned out to be the 2025 success story of the Bears’ season.
Sometimes it is better to trust your board the way you have it; usually, that means BPA. It is because of this strategy that you might see some surprising selections.
NFL is a business, and sometimes it means harsh decisions must be made, especially year over year. It would go a long way in addressing those needs, though, to raise that ceiling even further.
Come April 23rd, we will find out just how the Bears are viewing their roster and looking to get back to playing January and, hopefully, February football.
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Categorized:Bears