Bears GM Ryan Poles has a clear target to go after in the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft after attending the Miami Pro Day
It was a packed day at the Miami Pro Day one month out from the 2026 NFL Draft.
It was a packed Monday down at South Beach at the Miami Pro Day, with multiple top decision-makers in the house to see some of the top Canes prospects workout ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which included Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
This is the second confirmed Pro Day that Poles has attended after previously making his way down to the Oklahoma Pro Day during the first week of free agency. After punching their ticket to the National Championship Game, Miami has plenty of top talent entering the draft, so it’s easy to see why Poles and many other executives/coaches were in attendance for this one.
The highlight of the day was cornerback Keionte Scott, who boosted his stock with a blazing 40-yard-dash time. While the Bears are in need of a starting outside cornerback, Scott doesn’t quite fit the desired size to Chicago is looking for at the position. There was, however, one name that continues to make sense for the Bears that’s set to come out of Miami one month from today.
Ryan Poles got another close look at Akheem Mesidor at the Miami Pro Day
Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor is one of the potential first-round options the Bears are likely considering with the 25th overall pick. Mesidor already met with Chicago at the NFL Combine earlier in the draft process.
“It was a great interview,” Mesidor said, via Nicholas Moreano. “I think I did really well. Really nice people and I’m blessed to be around them. Let’s see if they want to give me an opportunity and take a shot [with me].”
Mesidor is coming off a 12.5 sack season with the Canes and has everything you’d want in a rookie pass rusher that can bring an impact on Day 1. The one issue teams will have about Mesidor is his age. Mesidor will be 25-years-old at the time of the draft and teams will view it as a red flag that his true breakout season came in his sixth college season.
In the eyes of Poles, he views things differently and it shows why Mesidor could be a legit first-round option for the Bears next month.
“I think they’re probably closer to their ceiling,” Poles explained. “The factor is, who’s developing them and what system are they in? But, I think of a guy like Mesidor, a little bit on the older end… and you see this really cool player and these guys have more refined plans going into the game. So, again, I think they’re closer to the ceiling, so the projection isn’t as great, but you kind of know what you’re going to get a little bit more.”
For a team in a win-now mode, the Bears need someone who’s closer to their ceiling to give the defense a boost off the edge. Mesidor has the potential to provide that and Poles continues to get a closer look at him throughout the draft process.
As for a late-round player that could catch the Bears’ attention, keep an eye on defensive back Jakobe Thomas as the Bears continue to hunt new players to retool the safety position. DE Rueben Bain Jr. and OT Francis Mauigoa are locks to be first-round prospects but will surely be well outside of Chicago’s range, barring slide and a trade up.
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