The Chicago Bears have officially concluded the 2026 NFL Draft, and the grades are in for a seven-player class that general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have assembled with a clear emphasis on athleticism, versatility, and scheme fit. From a first-round steal to a series of calculated swings on day two and a late-round gem with historic implications, this draft class has sparked intense debate among analysts and fans alike. The Bears entered the draft with seven selections and, after a series of trades, exited with seven players, a testament to their disciplined approach in a draft that was widely considered unpredictable and lacking consensus across the league. The highest grade goes to first-round pick Dylan Theamman, a safety from a top-tier program who was widely regarded as a fringe top-15 talent in this class. The Bears managed to secure him with the 25th overall pick, a move that has been universally praised as exceptional value. Theamman is an elite athlete with the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary, including interchangeable roles with Kobe Bryant. His ability to cover ground, read quarterbacks, and deliver punishing hits makes him an immediate upgrade to a Bears defense that struggled with consistency last season. The pick addresses a pressing need at safety while also representing the best player available on the board, a rare alignment that evaluators dream of. The Bears have made it clear throughout the offseason that they want players who can run, and Theamman fits that mold perfectly. If cornerbacks Jaylen Johnson and Kyler Gordon can stay healthy, this secondary could become one of the most formidable units in the league by 2027. Theamman’s arrival has already generated significant buzz, with merchandise sales and fan engagement spiking as the team prepares for training camp.
Moving to day two, the Bears made a series of selections that initially drew mixed reactions but have since been upgraded upon further review. Logan Jones, a center from Iowa, was taken in the second round with the 51st overall pick. Jones started 51 career games in college, a number that speaks to his durability and experience. He is an athletic center who excels in the outside zone blocking scheme that Ben Johnson prefers, able to get out in space and make blocks at the second level. While he is slightly undersized, a common trait among centers, his pass protection is solid, and his football IQ is off the charts. He learned under Tyler Linderbaum at Iowa, a former All-American and current NFL standout, which bodes well for his development. The Bears have a veteran presence in Garrett Bradberry, who will likely start the season, but Jones is expected to push for playing time immediately and could take over as the long-term starter by 2027. This is a significant development for a franchise that has not had a stable presence at center since Olin Kreutz retired. The grade for Jones has been elevated from a B-minus to a B, reflecting the growing recognition that he is a perfect scheme fit and a potential cornerstone of the offensive line for years to come.
The next pick, Sam Roush, a tight end from Stanford, was selected in the third round with the 69th overall pick after the Bears traded back from the 60th spot, picking up an extra fourth-round pick in the process. Roush is a versatile tight end who can block effectively in the run game and serve as a reliable pass catcher in the intermediate areas of the field. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, he has the size and athletic profile to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He caught 50 passes for over 500 yards last season at Stanford, a program that struggled offensively, which makes his production even more impressive. The Bears have a clear need at tight end after letting Durham Smith go, and Roush is expected to contribute immediately, potentially pushing for 300 snaps as a rookie. Ben Johnson loves to use 12 and 13 personnel packages, and Roush gives him another weapon to exploit mismatches. The grade for Roush has been upgraded from a C-plus to a B-minus, as analysts recognize the value of a tight end who can do a little bit of everything in a league that increasingly relies on two-tight end sets. Long-term, Roush could become the primary running mate for Colston Loveland, and if he develops as expected, the Bears might consider moving on from veteran Cole Kmet in 2027.
The fourth-round pick, Xavon Thomas, a wide receiver and return specialist, has drawn the most scrutiny of any selection in this class. Thomas was taken with the 89th overall pick, and while the Bears clearly have a vision for him, the grade has settled at a C. Thomas is an explosive athlete who can line up in the slot, in the backfield, and as a return man, but he lacks polish as a traditional receiver. He projects best as a gadget player who can create explosive plays in space, similar to how the San Francisco 49ers use Deebo Samuel. The concern is that Thomas might have been available later in the draft, but the Bears were aggressive in securing him, trusting Ben Johnson’s eye for offensive talent. Johnson reportedly became enamored with Thomas after watching his tape, and the coaching staff believes they can unlock his full potential. If Thomas becomes a reliable returner and a dynamic weapon on offense, this pick will be viewed as a steal. If he fails to develop, it will be seen as a reach. The Bears are betting on Johnson’s innovative scheme to maximize Thomas’s unique skill set, and early reports from minicamp suggest that Thomas has already impressed coaches with his work ethic and versatility.
Day three of the draft brought two more selections that have been met with widespread approval. Malik Muhammad, a cornerback from Texas, was taken in the fifth round with the 144th pick, after the Bears traded up to secure him. Muhammad was widely projected as a day two player, making this pick exceptional value. He is a long, athletic corner with over 32-inch arms and a 6-foot frame, ideal for press-man coverage. He has good ball skills, with six pass breakups and two interceptions last season in the SEC, and he brings a psycho mentality to the position that is essential for success in the NFL. The only knock on Muhammad is his slender build, which could make him vulnerable in run support, but his athleticism and competitiveness should allow him to compete for playing time immediately. He will likely push Tyreek Stevenson for the starting outside cornerback job, and at worst, he provides depth in a secondary that is suddenly deep with talent. The grade for Muhammad is an A-minus, with the only deduction coming from the trade up that cost the Bears a late-round pick.
The next pick, Keshan Elliott, a linebacker from a smaller program, was taken in the sixth round with the 166th overall pick. Elliott is a physical, explosive linebacker who excels against the run but needs significant work in coverage. He ran a sub-4.6 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, and his Relative Athletic Score is off the charts. He is described as a coachable player who annoys coaches in the best way possible, staying late at the facility to study film and improve. Elliott was ranked as a third-round player on some big boards, making this pick excellent value. He will likely contribute on special teams and in run-down situations as a rookie, with the potential to develop into an every-down linebacker if he improves his coverage skills. The grade for Elliott is an A-minus, reflecting the high ceiling and low risk associated with a sixth-round pick who has the athletic tools to succeed.
The final pick of the draft came after the Bears traded up with the Buffalo Bills, sending their two seventh-round picks to move up to the 213th overall selection. With that pick, they selected Jordan Vandenberg, a defensive tackle from Georgia Tech who is the first player ever drafted out of South Africa. Vandenberg is a freak athlete, posting a 10-out-of-10 Relative Athletic Score, the best ever recorded for a defensive tackle since the data began being compiled in 1987. He is 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, with 35 reps on the bench press, a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, and elite agility numbers. He was a late bloomer who transferred from Penn State to Georgia Tech, where he put it all together last season with 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks. He is a natural leader and a high-character player who will immediately compete for a spot in the defensive tackle rotation. The Bears have a solid but unspectacular group at defensive tackle, with Javon Dexter and Grady Jarrett as starters, and Vandenberg’s explosiveness could provide a much-needed interior pass rush. The grade for Vandenberg is a B-plus, with the only deduction coming from the cost of trading up, but the potential payoff is enormous.
Overall, the Bears 2026 draft class has been given a B-plus grade, reflecting a mix of exceptional value, calculated risks, and a clear vision for the future. The Theamman pick alone could elevate this class to an A if he becomes the playmaking safety the Bears have lacked for years. The day two picks of Jones and Roush address critical needs on offense, while Thomas represents a high-upside gamble that could pay off handsomely under Ben Johnson’s guidance. The day three selections of Muhammad, Elliott, and Vandenberg provide depth and developmental potential at positions of need. The Bears entered the draft with a clear mandate to get faster, more athletic, and more versatile, and they have accomplished that goal. The 2026 season will be the ultimate test, but early indications are that this class could produce multiple starters and impact players for years to come. The Bears have not had a draft class this promising since the 2018 haul that included Roquan Smith and James Daniels, and the excitement in Chicago is palpable. As the team prepares for training camp, all eyes will be on these seven rookies to see if they can live up to the hype.
