Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: T.J. Parker Headlines Defensive Revamp
The NFL Draft is just days away, and excitement is building as fans anxiously await the next group of players set to join the Bears.
Chicago has headlined the past two drafts with offensive firepower, most notably by landing their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams. Because of that, some people believe this year’s draft doesn’t hold as much weight, especially without a premium pick.
But this is a pivotal draft for the Chicago Bears. One that could ultimately shape their trajectory for years to come. With the right selections, the Bears have the opportunity to take the next step and improve from a playoff team to a true Super Bowl contender. And there are plenty of ways to do so.
Directions the Bears Could Go
The Bears currently hold the 25th pick in the NFL Draft. Along with their first rounder, the Bears have two 2nd-round picks, a 3rd, a 4th, and two 7th-rounders.
Ryan Poles has repeatedly stated that their approach will be to always take the best player available. He’s held true to that approach to an extent. It sounds like a great idea to always draft your highest graded player with each selection, but you also have to account for team needs.
Given the Bears’ current needs, I anticipate they will target either defensive end, defensive tackle, safety, outside corner, or left tackle with their first-round pick.
Ranking the Bears’ biggest needs:
- Safety
- Defensive Tackle
- Edge
- Outside Corner
- Center
- Left Tackle
There will be several players available at 25 who are both worthy of a first-round selection and fit the Bears’ needs and profiles.
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren // Toledo Safety
- Dillon Thieneman // Oregon Safety
- Kayden McDonald // Ohio State DT
- Peter Woods // Clemson DT
- Christen Miller // Georgia DT
- T.J. Parker // Clemson Edge
- Zion Young // Missouri Edge
- Akheem Mesidor // Miami Edge
- Keldric Faulk // Auburn Edge
- Jermod McCoy/Colton Hood // Tennessee CBs
- Chris Johnson // San Diego State CB
- Caleb Lomu // Utah LT
- Blake Miller // Clemson T
- Max Iheanachor // Arizona State LT
- Kadyn Proctor // Alabama LT
- Monroe Freeling // Georgia LT
You’re probably looking at this list thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of different players the Bears could pick from.” And I completely agree, which is why the Bears should look to trade down and acquire more draft capital on day two.
But it takes two to tango, and the Bears might not be able to find a trade partner looking to move up. So if they can’t trade down from 25, here’s what the Bears might do instead.
25th Pick // T.J. Parker – Clemson Edge
With the 25th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select T.J. Parker, edge rusher from Clemson. Since Ryan Poles took over as the GM in 2022, the pass rush has been nonexistent. Quarterbacks consistently have all day to throw the football and can pick apart the Bears’ secondary. It’s time the Bears use a first-round pick to improve it.
If T.J. Parker were coming into this draft having just played his 2024 season, he would be a top-10 pick. In 2024, Parker had a breakout sophomore season with 11 sacks and a Clemson single-season record of 6 forced fumbles. He was truly dominant off the edge. Unfortunately, Parker’s production dipped in 2025, as did that of the entire Clemson defense. Parker tallied just 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in his junior year, but the 2024 player is still in there somewhere.
At 6’4″ and 263lbs, Parker fits Dennis Allen’s profile for a defensive end. He’s got 33 1/8 inch arms, which is 41%, and ran an impressive 4.68 40-yard dash (83%). He also tested as an explosive athlete with a 34-inch vertical jump (60%) and 120-inch broad jump (77%).
Parker uses his power profile and strong hands to push offensive linemen backward consistently. With this skillset, he’s also able to set a firm edge in the run game. His go-to move is the long arm, which I would argue is the best move from any draftable pass rusher. He uses his length and power to extend his hand into the shoulder of an offensive lineman and drive them back.
Parker also has a good enough bend to beat tackles on the outside.
T.J. Parker has all the talent in the world and put it on full display in 2024.
If he can replicate that success in the NFL, then Parker will be a massive help for the Bears’ defensive line.
57th Pick // A.J. Haulcy – LSU Safety
The Chicago Bears take A.J. Haulcy, the LSU safety, with their first second-round pick. We know the Bears have a glaring need at safety opposite Coby Bryant. Cam Lewis and Elijah Hicks are both solid players, but neither of them are as talented as Haulcy.
A.J. Haulcy is a true ball-hawking safety with some of the best instincts I’ve seen from a safety prospect. Over 4 collegiate seasons, Haulcy grabbed 10 INTs. In his senior year, he finished with 3 INTs and 88 total tackles. He’s also a very physical player.
There are plenty of examples on tape when a receiver is running an in-breaking route over the middle of the field, and Haulcy comes down to light them up, causing an incompletion.
The 6’0″, 215lb safety would be an excellent Kevin Byard replacement. He and Coby Bryant would be a fun duo to watch, and I’m certain they’d rack up takeaways.
60th Pick // Dominique Orange – Iowa State DT
While I absolutely loved the Bears’ first two selections, this one might be my favorite. The Bears take Iowa State DT Dominique Orange with their other second-round pick and acquire one of the greatest nicknames of all-time: Big Citrus. Isn’t that just perfect?
Orange is a big defensive tackle standing at 6’2″, 322 lbs, and it shows. He’s a monster when it comes to stopping the run. His anchor against double teams is widely impressive, and his long arms allow him to control the point of attack. If you’re drafting Orange, it’s to fix your run defense.
And the Bears were one of the worst teams when it came to stopping the run last season, so that Orange would be a great help.
But his pass rush is very limited. He tallied just one sack across four seasons at Iowa State. While he is capable of pushing the pocket back with his size and strength, don’t expect him to be a dominant pass rusher on the interior.
Big Citrus will be a nice addition to Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, and Neville Gallimore. Hopefully, Orange can solve the Bears’ run-defense problems and provide some juice along the defensive front.
89th Pick // Logan Jones – Iowa Center
After the sudden retirement of Bears Pro-Bowl center Drew Dalman, they quickly pivoted by trading for veteran Garrett Bradbury. Brabury is a solid replacement, but his age doesn’t make him a great long-term candidate. With the 89th pick, I have the Bears selecting Logan Jones, the center from Iowa.
Jones was a 4-year starter at Iowa and is quite the athlete. He ran a 4.90 40-yard dash, which is 90% for his position. He also posted a 32-inch vertical (90%) and a 110-inch broad jump (91%). Ben Johnson loves his athletic offensive lineman so that Jones would be the perfect fit at center.
129th Pick // Ephesians Prysock – Washington Cornerback
It may not be the most obvious need, but outside of Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, the Bears don’t have a lot of talent at outside corner. Terrell Smith is solid, and we have to wait and see on Zah Frazier, but Washington corner Ephesians Prysock could carve out a role in Chicago.
Dennis Allen and Al Harris like their tall and length corners, and Prysock at 6’3″ with over 33-inch arms gives them just that. Prysock spent two years at Washington after spending two years at Arizona. He’s a long outside corner with solid long speed to keep up with deep threat receivers.
239th Pick // Tristan Leigh – Clemson Tackle
241st Pick // J. Michael Sturdivant – Florida Wide Receiver
If the Bears draft looked like this, I would be thrilled. They landed a talented pass rusher, a ball-hawking and physical safety, a big run defender, an athletic center, and other depth pieces at positions of need.
The Bears need to hit on a couple of players from this year’s draft to become a Super Bowl contender, and I think this class would be capable of that.
Discover more from Chicago Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Bears