Best available for Bears at biggest needs on Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

The Chicago Bears selected safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th pick in the NFL Draft and have three more picks on Day 2, focusing on defensive line needs. General manager Ryan Poles expressed confidence in finding players who fit their scheme.

Key points

Chicago Bears selected safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25.
Bears have three more picks on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Upcoming picks include Nos. 57, 60, and 89.
Team is focusing on defensive line needs.
General manager Ryan Poles expressed confidence in their draft strategy.

Dillon ThienemanChicago Bears

Day 1 of the NFL Draft is officially in the book as the Chicago Bears walked away with safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick. Thieneman was selected to be an immediate impact player, and the Bears hope they can find a couple more of those guys in Day 2.

Chicago is scheduled to pick three more times on Day 2, including two selections in the second round (Nos. 57, 60) and once in the third round (No. 89). With the safety position now secured, the Bears now shift their attention to other needs.

Again, Chicago will have to wait to see how the board falls, but for a team that now prioritizes defensive line, there will be options available for the Bears. Following Day 1, general manager Ryan Poles spoke to the media and weighed in on how he sees and feels the board going into Day 2.

“A lot of good options,” Poles said. “I’ll say this, this is probably the most aggressive we were in terms of guys that we really like. They have to play our style. They have to have the right makeup. In terms of our scheme fits, like all of that had to be there. If it wasn’t there, you’re off the board."

Because of the aggressiveness, Poles sees the board slimmer, but also said it’s a good thing.

“When you look at it, it feels really thin. But that’s a good thing. I think it’s a really good thing because we’re very selective of who we want,” he said. “Now there are some historical numbers that I have that make me feel confident that there’s going to be guys that we like still available to us.”

These options listed below gauge the options that fit the Bears, in scheme, playstyle and character.

Best remaining defensive lineman

Arguments could be made that Chicago should have gone defensive line with the No. 25 overall pick. And that could have been the case had Thieneman not become available for the Bears. But the number of players still available in Day 2, Chicago should have their pick to thicken up the trenches.

Christen Miller, Georgia: He brings power and strength, especially against the run. His heavy hands allow him to move back guards and center to collapse the pocket.