Chicago Bears NFL Draft Preview: Fast risers the Bears should start crossing off as options with the 25th overall pick
The Chicago Bears are sitting in a tough spot with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will have to let the board play out before they’re on the clock, and these names aren’t starting to look even more unlikely.
The 2026 NFL Draft is officially one week from kicking off and some of the pieces are starting to fall in place regarding the top picks in the draft. The same can’t be said for the Chicago Bears with the 25th overall pick.
The Bears have played things very strategically with their commitment to the BPA approach that leaves nearly every position on the table with their first-round pick.
While experts continue to connect the Bears to top pass rushers and offensive tackles, it’s really anyone’s guess what direction general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson take next Thursday. What we can do, is narrow down some options even further.
Earlier in the week, I broke down a list of five first-round options I believe the Bears should avoid. Let’s now break down four realistic first-round options for the Bears I am certain will be selected before the 25th overall pick.
1. Kadyn Proctor, LT, Alabama
Poles was the only NFL general manager in attendance at Alabama Pro Day, getting a firsthand look at massive LT Kadyn Proctor. Amid uncertainty at the position, someone like Proctor is easily a player the Bears could consider drafting if he falls to pick No. 25.
I don’t see him getting anywhere close to that. One week out from the draft, Proctor’s range seems pretty consistent at 6-17 with his ceiling being the Cleveland Browns and his floor being the Detroit Lions. Proctor will go much higher than anyone expected two weeks ago and the Bears should go ahead and cross his name off the list.
2. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Safety is a critical need for the Bears after letting Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker walk in free agency while only signing Coby Bryant as a starting replacement. Chicago needs to walk out of the draft with another starting-caliber player.
Dillon Thieneman is an exciting option who has solidified himself as the second-ranked safety in the class behind Caleb Downs. Unfortunately for Chicago, two teams picking ahead of them have been heavily connected to Thieneman the last few days in the Minnesota Vikings (18th overall) and the Carolina Panthers (19th overall). I believe either team passing on him would be absolutely shocking.
3. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Sticking with the offensive tackle position, Caleb Lomu is another player I see going higher than expected. NFL insider Albert Breer shared that he could see a second run at the tackle position in the second 10 picks (11-20). Proctor, Monroe Freeling, Lomu, and Max Iheanachor are players I would put in that cluster.
Teams picking ahead of the Bears in that range that are eyeing offensive tackles include the Miami Dolphins (11th overall), Lions, Panthers, Los Angeles Rams (13th overall), Los Angeles Chargers (22nd overall), Philadelphia Eagles (23rd overall), and Cleveland Browns (24th overall). I would even throw in the San Francisco 49ers in there as a trade up team to watch to ensure they land their ideal tackle.
Lomu met with the Bears, 49ers, Eagles, Browns, Chargers, Panthers, Lions, Rams, and Dolphins along with two other late first-round teams in the Houston Texans (28th overall) and the Kansas City Chiefs (29th overall). With so much interest in Lomu, I don’t think the Bears will have a chance to snag him at 25.
4. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I don’t foresee the Bears going the WR route in the first-round with the push to run more 12 personnel in 2026. However, if the Bears were to actually go that route, Jordyn Tyson would be the target. Tyson’s injury concerns had plenty of teams ahead of the Bears worried about his outlook but it sounds like those concerns are going away.
Tyson will workout on April 17 in front of NFL teams to showcase himself after missing the NFL Combine and the Arizona State Pro Day. Tyson is being viewed as the WR2 in the class, if healthy, behind Carnell Tate. If all goes well with that workout, he will go as high as eighth overall.
