The Chicago Bears made seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round. However, concerns were raised about reaching too early on four of their selections, particularly on Day 2.
Key points
Chicago Bears made seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft
First-round pick was safety Dillon Thieneman
Concerns about reaching too early on four selections
Added offensive talent with center Logan Jones and tight end Sam Roush
Pro Football Focus identified steals in Thieneman, Muhammad, and Elliott
Dillon ThienemanLogan JonesSam RoushZavion Thomas
Chicago Bears reached on 4 picks in 2026 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears added some new talent to the roster during the 2026 NFL Draft, shoring up needs and adding even more talent on offense and defense.
The Bears landed a steal in the first round with safety Dillon Thieneman, who upgrades the secondary in a massive way. Chicago also added some new toys on offense for head coach Ben Johnson, including center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas on Day 2. The Bears also added some high upside rookies in cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg on Day 3.
But there were some questions about whether Chicago reached too early on some of their new rookies. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bears reached on four of their seven selections, including all three Day 2 picks. Although, they did note they landed steals in Thieneman, Muhammad and Elliott.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones
Q&A
Who did the Chicago Bears draft in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bears drafted safety Dillon Thieneman, center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush, wide receiver Zavion Thomas, cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg.
What were the concerns about the Bears' draft picks in 2026?
Concerns were raised that the Bears reached too early on four of their seven selections, particularly on all three Day 2 picks.
Which players were considered steals for the Chicago Bears in the draft?
Pro Football Focus noted that safety Dillon Thieneman, cornerback Malik Muhammad, and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott were considered steals for the Bears.
What positions did the Bears focus on during the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bears focused on upgrading their secondary and adding offensive talent, drafting players for positions including safety, center, tight end, wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker, and defensive tackle.
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2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg
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Bears 2026 NFL Draft tracker: See all of Chicago's picks
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
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Bears 2026 NFL Draft tracker: See all of Chicago's picks
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
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Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Logan Jones
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones
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Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Sam Roush
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush
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Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Zavion Thomas
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas
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Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Malik Muhammad
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad
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Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Keyshaun Elliott
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott
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Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Jordan van den Berg
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg
C Logan Jones
The Bears landed their hopeful center of the future in Logan Jones in the second round. While it came as a surprise early on Day 2, Chicago needed to pivot following Drew Dalman's shocking retirement this offseason. The Bears did trade for Garrett Bradbury as a stopgap, but he won't be handed the starting job as Jones will be competing for that job this summer.
Wrote PFF: "Jones is a high-IQ, feisty center with strong athleticism for zone schemes. He moves well laterally and shows good hand usage, but his outlier-short arm length creates challenges sustaining blocks and handling longer defenders."
TE Sam Roush
Considering the Bears have a solid tight end duo in Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, it did come as a surprise for Chicago to use a third-round pick on Sam Roush. But, as with all of these offensive selections, you have to trust Ben Johnson. With Durham Smythe departing in free agency, Johnson needed a reliable third tight end given his penchant for 12 and 13 personnel.
Wrote PFF: "Roush has the build of an NFL tight end capable of playing on the line of scrimmage. As a blocking āYā tight end, he can be a valuable piece in heavy personnel packages and some single-tight-end looks, though his impact in the passing game will likely be limited."
WR Zavion Thomas
While the Roush selection was a shock, the Zavion Thomas pick was an even bigger surprise. Yes, the Bears traded veteran DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, but they were able to do so with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III on the roster. Chicago also signed veteran Kalif Raymond to serve as WR3 and as a returner. But this Thomas pick is another example of trust Ben Johnson and his vision for this offense.
Wrote PFF: "Thomas plays with energy and determination, giving him a strong chance to stick on an NFL roster, particularly due to his special teams return ability."
DT Jordan van den Berg
The Bears traded a pair of seventh rounders to move up into the sixth round to select Jordan van den Berg with their final selection. It was a pick hailed by many, although not necessarily PFF. From a recent report by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, it sounds like the Bears have big plans for van den Berg, even as a sixth-round selection.
Wrote PFF: "Van den Berg did not receive a combine invite but delivered strong pre-draft testing, with quickness and explosiveness that stood out. His pass-rush production remains limited, as he recorded 56 pressures across five seasons, but his work against the run offers value, highlighted by an 81.2 run-defense grade in 2025, which supports a potential role in a defensive line rotation."
