Chicago Bears NFL Draft Preview: Prospects the Bears could value higher than consensus as the team’s big board takes shape
As the Chicago Bears finalize their board for the 2026 NFL Draft class, here are five prospects throughout the draft I believe the Bears will have a higher ranking on compared to the consensus industry big board.
The Chicago Bears have a heavily debated decision to make with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but what the team does outside of the first-round isn’t getting much attention as it should.
The Bears hold seven total selections and four picks in the Top-100. What the Bears do at pick No. 25 is important but it’s not the end all be all of their draft. Chicago has multiple needs to address throughout the draft including DL, S, C, OT, CB. That’s just factoring in positions of need, I can guarantee the Bears look to add to other spots depending on their grades for certain prospects.
Which brings us to an important topic when it comes to the Bears draft tendencies under general manager Ryan Poles. His big board and draft grades are way different than the industry grades. See Kiran Amegadjie (third-round pick in 2024) and Ruben Hyppolite II (fourth-round pick in 2025) as clear examples.
So, let’s take a look at five players I believe Bears will have ranked higher on their board compared to the consensus board compiled from top draft analysts.
1. Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
It’s hard to find a better DT fit for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in this class than Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton. Much as been said about Peter Woods and Kayden McDonald atop the DT class as first-round options for the Bears. I have my concerns about both prospects and their fit in Allen’s system.
Halton, however, is a perfect fit. Allen is searching for a compact interior pass rusher that can be an explosive player off the line of scrimmage. Halton is sub-300 pounds with a 1.7 10-yard-split. He’s also got a crazy high motor and competitive mindset on and off the field. The industry consensus has Halton ranked 90th overall and the DT8 in the class. I can see him being a realistic Day 2 option, perhaps with the 60th overall pick.
2. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
The Bears have been connected to Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren multiple times in the first-round, but I really like the depth at safety. Chicago needs another player to start alongside Coby Bryant and the Bryant signing itself tells you the kind of player they’re looking for when it comes to speed and physicality.
Jalon Kilgore fits both of those traits and a high-upside player to bet on. He has 4.4 speed with great length and ball skills. He also has some aggressiveness that can allow Allen to play him and Bryant interchangeably at the safety position. He’s viewed as the 100th overall prospect and ninth safety in the class. Yet, he’s another player I could see the Bears targeting with one of their first four selections.
3. De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
I’m not putting it past Ben Johnson to add another WR to the mix at some point in this draft. While the Bears will operate in more 12 personnel with two WRs, it never hurts to add another one to the pipeline.
The only WR the Bears met with on a confirmed 30 visit was De’Zhaun Stribling. Multiple teams are high on this guy compared to the consensus rankings (123rd overall and WR21). He’s for sure getting drafted in the third-round or higher and a player Johnson would be obsessed about adding.
4. James Brockermeyer, C, Miami
Center is a position I mentioned earlier as a top need for the Bears in this draft. After losing Drew Dalman, Chicago went out to acquire Garrett Bradbury for the 2026 season but need a long-term option to have ready for 2027. The Bears have taken a close look at multiple options ranging from third-round to seventh-round.
A late name to watch is James Brockermeyer. He has Bears bloodline after his father, Blake Brockermeyer, played three seasons in Chicago. He has the intelligence and skills to be a high-level backup and a pro-mindset. If Chicago strikes out on the early-round options, he’s a name to watch despite being ranked 261st overall as the ninth-ranked center.
5. Anterio Thompson, DT, Washington
Another defensive tackle option that is a close fit when it comes to quickness and size for Allen’s scheme is Anterio Thompson. After not getting invited to the NFL Combine, Thompson shined at Washington’s Pro Day posting a 4.73 40-yard-dash with a 1.74 10-yard-split. He needs to develop more but there’s a ton to like with his athleticism and his special teams value he can bring to any roster.
Thompson’s lone 30 visit was actually with the Bears and while teams use 30 visits as a sale pitch for potential UDFA’s, he’s a name to watch in the seventh-round as well. In fact, Dane Brugler of The Athletic mocked Thompson to Chicago with the 241st overall pick, something I’ve also done multiple times. He’s the 360th ranked prospect and DT37 on the consensus big board. Don’t be shocked if Chicago ends up drafting him.
