Three Chicago Bears rank in ESPN’s top 100 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft

If you’d asked most people before the draft, you wouldn’t have heard many say Thieneman would fall past the Vikings, who need an heir for longtime safety Harrison Smith. Instead, the safety position went from a major need to a potential strength.

Then, after infuriating the fan base by taking a center (Logan Jones), tight end (Sam Roush), and wide receiver (Zavion Thomas) on Day 2 instead of a defensive front player, Ryan Poles got back in his bag with two strong defensive value picks in cornerback Malik Muhammad (No. 124 overall; No. 46 on Miller’s top 100) and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (No. 166 overall; No. 81 on the list).

Of Muhammad, Miller writes, “projects as a future starter opposite Jaylon Johnson and could fill that role as early as 2027, when Tyrique Stevenson’s rookie contract expires.”

Elliott, meanwhile, adds to a re-tooled linebacker room in need of speed and youth. “Versatile and fast (he ran a 4.58 40 in the combine), Elliott had seven sacks last season while playing off-ball linebacker. Elliott was a high-character captain at Arizona State and should be one of defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s favorites,” Miller added.

Sometimes, draft boards don’t fall the way you expect them to, which could help explain how some of the Bears’ more questionable picks happened. But in a draft with a lot of “good” players with chances to make immediate impacts, snagging at least three key rookies who can play early is still a win.

Throw in the possibility of Jones starting at center in Year 1, Roush’s likely frequent utility in “13” personnel, and whatever you get from Thomas and sixth-round pick Jordan van den Berg in depth roles, and Poles might just have hit on another impactful rookie class. Whether or not it’s enough to distract from not picking any highly regarded defensive linemen remains to be seen.