Bears Day 3 Mock Draft: Ryan Poles finally addresses the defensive line while Ben Johnson finds a way to add a third weapon
The Chicago Bears currently have four more selections to work with on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft with glaring needs remaining on the defensive line.
The Chicago Bears had quite an interesting Day 2 of the NFL Draft taking players well above the consensus rankings, most notably wide receiver Zavion Thomas in the third-round.
It’s clear head coach Ben Johnson has full control of that draft room after selecting three new offensive players on Friday night. Going into Saturday, Johnson needs to hand the keys back to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
In this Day 3 mock draft, we finally add more pieces to the defensive front for the Bears while adding another offensive depth piece with the remaining four selections.
Day 3 mock draft for the Chicago Bears
Round 4, pick 129: Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State
Dani Dennis-Sutton is the last of the top names at the DE position and one of the remaining edge rushers that fit DA’s type. He’s not the most productive edge rusher in this class but he offers a nice blend of quickness and power to work with.
At this point in the draft, adding a potential starter is off the table. Now it’s worth betting on traits and Dennis-Sutton is viewed as a “high-floor” player going into the fourth round.
Round 5, pick 144: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
You might think the secondary is set in Chicago after adding safeties Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman, but it’s worth adding more competition to the outside corner spot that freed up after letting Nahshon Wright walk. Tyrique Stevenson is the lead man to take over the job with 2025 fifth-round pick Zah Frazier set to rejoin the team in 2026.
Adding a third young option to the room can bring out the best in everyone. Ephesians Prysock is Al Harris’ kind of player. He’s 6-3 with rare physical traits at the cornerback position and solid speed. The ball skills were limited but the traits are worth developing.
Round 7, pick 239: Noah Whittington, RB, Oregon
After adding a TE3 and a WR5 on Day 2, I’m not putting anything past Ben Johnson going into Day 3. If he feels the need to add another running back to the backfield, more power to him and it’s something I can honestly see happening.
The Bears have a really strong one-two punch with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai but limited options behind those two in Brittain Brown and Roschon Johnson. Noah Whittington is a downhill runner that always falls forward, similar to Monangai, and even offers special teams value to replace that Travis Homer role.
Round 7, pick 241: Anterio Thompson, DT, Washington
Gracen Halton is still my ideal DT target going into Day 3 but I wasn’t able to snag him at 129. If he’s there, it should be an easy pick. If not, Anterior Thompson is one to watch with one of the two seventh-round picks, or higher if the Bears want to reach again.
Thompson is a highly athletic defensive tackle and met with the Bears on a reported Top-30 visit. His quickness and power are enticing traits. He also offers great special teams ability given he still start his career as a rotational player on defense at best.
