Bears fans would absolutely love Lee Hunter’s nickname and it adds to why he would be the perfect first-round target for Chicago
Lee Hunter is looking like a solid option to consider with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears now have a near consensus target position in the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft based on multiple draft experts connecting the team to various top defensive line prospects.
The one linked to Chicago the most often with the 25th overall pick has been Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald but another defensive tackle prospect that been boosting his stock in a major way since Senior Bowl week is Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech.
In the first wave mock drafts I sampled last week, CBS Sports’ Mike Renner was the only one to connect Hunter to Chicago. But, it’s a connection I think many will start thinking about the closer we get to the draft and Bears fans would love this comparison to a former franchise legend.
Lee Hunter’s nickname has a nice connection to former Bears legend William Perry
With more and more people digging into Hunter’s profile as a prospect, it’s been uncovered that Hunter’s nickname is actually “The Fridge” and it’s a nickname Bears fans know well after watching William “The Refrigerator” Perry dominate during the late 80’s and early 90’s.
It’s not just the nickname and the position that warrants the comparison, Hunter might actually be the second coming of Perry and it’s the exact kind of player the Bears need to be looking to add this offseason. Despite his size, Hunter has some real speed to him, not quite to the level Perry showcased when he played at Clemson and for the Bears, but it’s still impressive.
“You don’t see nose tackles move the way Hunter does once he gets into the backfield; it’s as if he finds a second gear. Once he gets into an NFL locker room, I think we will see his body transform a bit, allowing him to play a bit lighter while still maintaining the power he plays with. I believe his best football is ahead of him, and he has the potential to be a true game wrecker at the pro level.” – A to Z Sports’ scouting report on Lee Hunter
Hunter can be an immediate upgrade for the Bears run defense if the team chooses to select him 25th overall but he also brings some pass rush juice to the equation as well. Here’s how he compares to other potential first-round defensive tackles, courtesy of Underdog Fantasy’s Hayden Winks.
If the league allows this guy to slip into the second-round, a team is going to get an absolute steal. Of course, it all depends on how the board shakes out, but Hunter could be the perfect first-round target for the Bears and bringing “The Fridge” back to Chicago’s defensive line would only be a plus.
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