Offensive weapons that Ben Johnson could be eyeing with each of the Bears’ current selections in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears could look to add more rookie weapons to head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
It’s no secret that the Chicago Bears plan to aggressively attack the defensive side of the ball next month in the 2026 NFL Draft to continue retooling the unit for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
The Bears are still in need of one starting-caliber safety, an impact edge rusher, along with depth at the cornerback and interior defensive line positions. One should expect all of those needs are addressed at some point in the draft.
Currently, the Bears hold seven selections in the draft and knowing general manager Ryan Poles, the Bears will look to move around to acquire more draft capital. Which means head coach Ben Johnson could get in on the action and attempt to land more impactful rookie weapons to his offense. So, using the current seven selections, let’s explore some offensive play-makers he could be eyeing.
Offensive weapons in the 2026 NFL Draft that could entice Ben Johnson at each pick range
First-Round Options (25th overall pick)
- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
- Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
The Jordyn Tyson buzz started earlier this week when FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt mocked him to Chicago with the 25th overall pick. Before that, the idea of Tyson falling that low in the first-round seemed far-fetched. Yet, Dane Brugler of The Athletic noted later in the week that Tyson won’t participate in his pro day with worries about his hamstring. Such concern could lower his stock and potentially make him available in Chicago’s range, and he’d be the one WR I’d consider adding to the offense. Although going that route in the first-round is highly unlikely.
As for Jadarian Price, he seems to be the fast rising running back name, similar to Omarion Hampton from last year, that will fall in the late first-round. Compared to Jeremiyah Love, Price is much more of a slasher with great vision. If Johnson wanted to find an upgrade over D’Andre Swift, Price would be his guy. But again, it’s unlikely to see Chicago use their first-round pick on this position.
Second-Round Options (57 and 60th overall picks)
- Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
- Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
- Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
- Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
It’s entirely likely we see Chris Brazzell off the board early in the second-round before Chicago’s two selections, but he is a top-level explosive player. He has dangerous on-field speed and that, matched with his height, makes him a unique prospect. He would be the tallest and arguably fastest wide receiver on the roster and there’s a lot Johnson could do with a guy like that.
Germie Bernard is Ben Johnson’s kinda guy with the way he attacks in between the hashes and has a knack for finding the soft spot in zone coverages. He has great size to make tough catches over the middle and has that yard after catch threat to go along with it. Very much a high IQ and physical player but lacks the top-end speed the Bears are missing.
Elijah Sarratt is similar to Bernard and comes from a similar offense at Indiana that is very timing-based with a lot of in-breaker routes. Sarratt is also a clutch player, a trait the Bears identified in Colston Loveland as well to add a player that will step up in the brightest moments. The more late-game killers the Bears can add, the better.
Malachi Fields is a similar player style-wise to Rome Odunze with the way he wins with his size and aggressiveness. The draw for Ben Johnson is that he’s an exceptional run blocker. To me, the Bears already have this kind of player on the offense and it’d be really telling if Chicago made this move.
Third-Round Options (89th overall pick)
- Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
- Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
The Bears had a sizable scouting party down at the Oklahoma Pro Day led by general manager Ryan Poles and one offensive name to keep in mind is Deion Burks. Burks is more of a gadget player that can be used on sweeps, reverses, and screens. He’d be a perfect complement to Odunze and Luther Burden III by adding a new dimension to work with in the offense.
Ja’Kobi Lane is another tall, contested catch kind of player but has experience working with Caleb Williams during their time together at USC. As a red zone specialist, there’s a lot to like about Lane’s potential but he has a limited route tree and doesn’t have the game-changing speed the Bears need.
Fourth-Round Options (129th overall pick)
- Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri
- De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
- Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky
Kevin Coleman Jr. is a player I’ve mocked to the Bears multiple times now in the fourth-round after meeting with the team at the NFL Combine. Coleman took over Burden’s role at Missouri in 2025 and can do the same in Chicago with Burden transitioning into DJ Moore’s previous role. Coleman will likely be a slot-only receiver at the next level and has the toughness to win over the middle.
De’Zhaun Stribling has a visit set up with the Bears soon and this is likely his range. He’s more of an over the top player on the outside. His after-the-catch speed is legit and he’s another player that can be really impactful as a run blocker, two traits we know Ben Johnson covets at the position.
Another running back option, and one that already met with the Bears on a 30 visit, is Seth McGowan. He has incredible vision as a ball carrier and great patience behind the offensive line. His explosiveness is next-level as well. He’d be a great back to develop for a year and then assessing whether or not he could take over Swift’s role in 2027.
Seventh-Round Options (239 and 241st overall picks)
- Noah Whittington, RB, Oregon
The Bears were sniffing around Noah Whittington at the Oregon Pro Day but he’s a very different player than Price or McGowan. Whittington is more similar to Kyle Monangai with his low center of gravity and hard downhill rushing style. However, Whittington can add some value as a kick returner as well with his lateral agility.
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