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Mocking the Mocks: Here’s what Mel Kiper Jr. has the Chicago Bears doing
TL;DR
Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft predicts the Chicago Bears will select Zion Young, a defensive end from Missouri, with their first-round pick. Young, who had an impressive season with 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures, could help bolster the Bears' pass rush.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Logan Jones #65 of the Iowa Hawkeyes blocks against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half of the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. dropped his final mock draft before the real deal kicks off next Thursday, and in this one, he’s mocking it a bit differently than his previous drafts. Normally, he mocks it like he would mock it for each team, but for his latest two-rounder (version 4.0), he’s basing all his predictions on team needs, evaluations, and also what he’s hearing when he talks with executives, coaches, and scouts around the league. He even threw in a couple of trades in this exercise.
Here’s what he has the Bears doing in the first round.
25. Zion Young, DE, Missouri
The Bears’ attempts to give Montez Sweat a running mate off the edge have fallen short, but Young could finally be the answer. He piled up 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures and 18 tackles for loss last season, showing a mix of power and quickness. The Bears are suddenly legit contenders in the NFC, but their 35 sacks last season tied for seventh fewest in the league. I mentioned this in my last mock draft — in which I also had Young to Chicago — but it’s worth repeating: The Bears haven’t used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd went ninth in 2016. It’s time to get a little more aggressive at the position during the draft.
Young has been a frequent mocked target of the Bears throughout the offseason. He just looks like a Dennis Allen defensive end at 6’6”, 262 pounds, with 33” arms. He’s a very good edge setter in the run game, and he plays with a high motor, but some scouts believe his pass rush arsenal needs fine-tuning.
Another popular Bears mock draft pick, Keldric Faulk from Auburn, is mocked next at 26 to the Bills.
57. Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
This offseason has brought a full line change at safety in Chicago: Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis in, Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III out. But it’s still a need, and Stukes could step in for Lewis. The Bears have an opportunistic defense, leading the NFL in takeaways (33) and interceptions (23) last season. Stukes fits right in; he had four interceptions last year.
Safety is another popular mock option for the Bears, but Stukes (6’1”, 190) is a guy I haven’t seen mocked to Chicago as much as some others. He’s an older prospect, having spent six years in college, but after an ACL tear in 2024, he likely wanted to finish his Arizona career on a high note. He’s a versatile player who can drop down and cover the slot against some players, and he has the speed (4.33 forty) to play deep. He also started his career as a walk-on and ended it as a team captain.
60. Logan Jones, C, Iowa
The Bears quickly found a new center in Garrett Bradbury after Drew Dalman retired, but Bradbury is a free agent after this season. Jones has started 51 games, all at center.
This center class is a good one, and Jones (6’3”, 299) is a good zone blocking player who could sit a year to learn the NFL game behind Bradbury while also bulking up a bit to handle the bigger nose tackles. Also, this quote from an AFC personnel director via NFL.com is great: “He’s fun to watch. He plays like he’s got two kids and a mortgage to pay, man. That kind of grown-man effort.”
How would you like this start to the Bears draft if it really fell this way?
Q&A
Who is Zion Young and what are his stats from last season?
Zion Young is a defensive end from Missouri who recorded 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures, and 18 tackles for loss last season.
Why do the Chicago Bears need to draft an edge rusher?
The Bears need to draft an edge rusher to improve their pass rush, as they tied for the seventh fewest sacks in the league last season.
When is the NFL Draft taking place?
The NFL Draft is scheduled to take place next Thursday.
What is Mel Kiper Jr.'s approach in his latest mock draft?
In his latest mock draft, Mel Kiper Jr. bases his predictions on team needs, evaluations, and insights from discussions with league executives, coaches, and scouts.
