The Chicago Bears welcomed seven rookies during the 2026 NFL Draft, including first-round safety Dillon Thieneman at 25th overall. The class features new offensive and defensive players, with analysts optimistic about its potential impact on the team's future success.
Key points
Chicago Bears drafted seven new rookies in 2026 NFL Draft
First-round safety Dillon Thieneman was selected 25th overall
New offensive players include center Logan Jones and tight end Sam Roush
New defensive players include cornerback Malik Muhammad and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott
Analysts believe this draft class could help the Bears reach the Super Bowl
Chicago BearsDillon ThienemanLogan JonesSam Roush
The Chicago Bears welcomed seven new rookies to the roster during the 2026 NFL Draft, which included first-round safety Dillon Thieneman, who was considered a steal at 25th overall.
Chicago also added some new offensive pieces for Ben Johnson with center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas, while adding some new defensive players in cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg. While it's not the flashiest class, it's one assembled by Johnson and GM Ryan Poles that one analyst believes will be the thing to get the Bears to the Super Bowl.
Over the past few days, our Bears Wire staff has been sharing their thoughts about the 2026 rookie class. We're wrapping things up with our initial grades for Chicago's 2026 class before they even step on the field.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush
Q&A
Who were the Chicago Bears' top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The top pick for the Chicago Bears in the 2026 NFL Draft was safety Dillon Thieneman, selected 25th overall.
What positions did the Bears address in the 2026 draft?
The Bears added a center, tight end, wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker, and defensive tackle in the 2026 draft.
How many rookies did the Chicago Bears draft in 2026?
The Chicago Bears drafted a total of seven rookies in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What are the initial grades for the Bears' 2026 rookie draft class?
Initial grades for the Bears' 2026 rookie draft class have been shared by analysts, indicating a mix of optimism and potential for the team.
Related Articles
MLB
MLB rule change is affecting pitchers far more than ever expected
MLB's new pitch clock is leading to unexpected arm injuries among pitchers.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL·Recap
Ducks, Olen Zellweger have hit problem point in playoffs
Olen Zellweger's absence raises concerns for the Ducks in playoffs.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Feature
Two-start pitchers: Tarik Skubal headlines a gaggle of elite options as we steamroll into May
Tarik Skubal leads elite two-start pitchers as May approaches in fantasy baseball!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Palestinian FA boss blasts Infantino's failed FIFA Congress handshake debacle 'absurd'
Infantino's handshake attempt between Palestinian and Israeli FA leaders fails at FIFA Congress.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
F1
The Miami GP long runs: Mercedes leads, challengers on the rise
Mercedes drivers excel in Miami GP long runs, with Kimi Antonelli leading narrowly.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Kam Martin takes in-home visit with 2027 athlete from Georgia
Kam Martin of FSU visits 2027 athlete Marquis Fennell at home
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
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
1 / 7
Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
1 / 7
Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
2 / 7
Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Logan Jones
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones
3 / 7
Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Sam Roush
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush
4 / 7
Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Zavion Thomas
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas
5 / 7
Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Malik Muhammad
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad
6 / 7
Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott
7 / 7
Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg
Alyssa Barbieri: B
The Bears went into the draft looking for specific players: Speed, athleticism and scheme fit, and it's hard to deny that's what they were able to accomplish with this seven-player class. Dillon Thieneman was an absolute steal in the first round, and Ben Johnson was looking to the future with the Logan Jones selection. Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas were surprising picks, of course, but it's hard to doubt Johnson when he's adding players to fit what he's trying to accomplish on offense. Day 3 could wind up being the thing that impacts this draft class the most. They added some potential steals in Malik Muhammad, Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan van den Berg.
Overall, I'm looking at how the Bears approached the draft and how they stayed true to their intentions, which was to select the best available and not reach just because of positional need. But positional need is also a key factor when you consider the weakest point of the roster looks nearly identical, at least with the starters, to last season. Granted, they lost several defensive lineman to injury at some point of the season (Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner). It's likely Chicago attributes the defensive line struggles last season to injuries, and if that's the case, they better hope for better production from that group. So, for now, a solid B feels like a good evaluation. It's good, not great. But, again, this is just an initial evaluation before these players have even stepped foot on the field.
Brendan Sugrue: B
Iâve been covering the Bears for the better part of a decade and this is probably the most difficult draft class Iâve had to evaluate in that time. Their best selection was at safety, a position that doesnât have the same value as others, they failed to land an impactful pass rusher, and their three Day 2 picks are not expected to be Week 1 contributors. At first glance, that doesnât sound ideal, especially for a team that has aspirations of going deep into the postseason.
But then we look back at last year and how little the rookies played early on in part thanks to the veterans in front of them before they broke out midway through the season. Good teams draft and develop to fill holes before theyâre created. Weâre not used to that in Chicago, so this group should look better in a year or so when players such as Thieneman, Jones, Roush, and Muhammad have chances to start. I would have preferred to see the Bears take a swing at edge rusher, a position that has eluded Poles in the draft for five years in a row, but I believe they landed 3-4 impact players who will be quality starters for the foreseeable future. And thatâs a solid draft in any year.
Mike Pendleton: B
The draft class as a whole is incredibly intriguing, and general manager Ryan Poles gets an opportunity to rebuild his draft decisions now based on the fact that head coach Ben Johnson is with him. This is only year 2 for the Johnson and Poles relationship, so the entire draft strategy has changed, and going off of last year, itâs hard to fault the picks made by these two men in charge.
They didnât address the edge rusher position, but quite frankly, their belief that the talent is already on the roster, will come down to their coaching and effort into those players. There are three names that will define this class of rookies: Dillon Thieneman, Logan Jones, and Jordan van den Berg, the sixth-round defensive tackle. Thatâs not to say the others donât have talent, itâs more so that they could have the most immediate impact. Chicago drafted for fit and style, and itâs too soon to question that strategy by Ben Johnson.
Vincent Parise: B
The Bears get a B. It is not an A because of their inability to properly address the defensive line. That may be a huge miss overall, but they clearly have a philosophy within their football operations that suggests that they can get by without it for now. They believe in the players they already had in place and their defensive structure.
The reason itâs a B, and not lower, is because most of the players they did take are phenomenal at their position. They got one of the draftâs best safeties, centers, and blocking tight ends. They also added depth to their overall roster over the course of the three days. Are the Bears a better football team now than they were entering the draft? Yes they are, and thatâs the most important thing when evaluating the event as a whole.
Preston Zbroszczyk: B-
Chicago went against the grain of drafting needs especially on the defensive line, but they did draft a bunch of versatile athletic players who fit their style of play. They got good value on players in the later rounds with Muhammad and Jordan Van Den Berg and Keyshaun Elliott. But now we see how this all works out. Lots of the draft picks like Logan Jones, Muhammad and Thieneman will immediately compete for roster spots while the rest try and see if they can make an impact anywhere.
