With the NFL Draft only one month away, we reviewed a dozen mock drafts to see who pro football analysts are projecting the Bears will select with the 25th pick in the first round:
Richie Bradshaw, Sports Illustrated (March 19)
Pick: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 19 via trade with Panthers
Comment: This move up the board ensures the Bears' safety play doesn't fall off a cliff after last season's production. The team made an excellent addition with Coby Bryant to shore up one spot, but the starting position opposite him remained open. Enter Thienemen, who went from being a household name at Purdue to a household name at Oregon.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (March 24)
Pick: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment: McNeil-Warren is an enticing safety prospect with a rare combination of skills as a center fielder and box-area bandit.
Kyle Dvorchak, NBC Sports (March 20)
Pick: Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker
Comment: The Bears made several big additions in free agency. Now they turn to Parker, who totaled 21.5 sacks in three years at Clemson.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com (March 19)
Pick: Missouri edge rusher Zion Young
Comment: Assuming the Bears don't still make a bigger offseason splash on a veteran, I think an edge rusher could be their Round 1 target. General manager Ryan Poles was camped out by the pass-rush one-on-ones for much of Senior Bowl week, and the long-framed Young stood out to me in Mobile a hair more than Clemson's T.J. Parker.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (March 19)
Pick: Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor
Comment: Edge rusher and defensive tackle are probably the most impactful positions Chicago could add. Akheem Mesidor is an older prospect who should be able to contribute immediately opposite Montez Sweat.
Tyler Erzberger, Newsweek (March 20)
Pick: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment: McNeil-Warren would be a perfect addition to a young, exciting Bears team that has a lot to prove in 2026.
Jared Feinberg, Sports Illustrated (March 21)
Pick: Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods
Comment: I have no idea what the NFL thinks of this defensive tackle class, but the run could begin in the 20s, starting with the Bears and Woods, who have supreme talent that was never fully introduced at Clemson. By allowing him to be a three-tech disruptor, Woods would be an exceptional player for Chicago's interior defensive line.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (March 23)
Pick: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment: Ryan Poles has already demonstrated that he's willing to pay a premium for playmaking ability at safety after handing Coby Bryant a three-year, $40 million deal. He can complete his team's transformation at the position by nabbing McNeil-Warren, an authoritative run stopper who has considerable upside in matching up against the NFC North's imposing tight ends.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (March 23)
Pick: Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods
Comment: He played heavy last year and didn't play as well. That's why he's down this far in the draft. But Woods was once considered a top-10 talent and his weight is down.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (March 20)
Pick: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 30 via trade with Dolphins
Comment: The Bears luck into finding the athletic but tough-minded Thieneman available despite trading down for much-needed draft capital. He'll be effective in the box and playing deep as a rookie.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (March 23)
Pick: Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor
Comment: I don't care that Mesidor will be 25 before he plays his first NFL snap. If he's anything like he was in 2025 for Miami, the Bears will get five fantastic seasons out of him and can decide ahead of the 2030 season whether he's worth a second contract. For now, Montez Sweat is ecstatic.
Field Yates, ESPN.com (March 24)
Pick: Missouri edge rusher Zion Young
Comment: Young would be a good fit here because of his play style. He uses heavy, power hands and his 6-6 frame to engage and run through offensive tackles. Young also has some versatility to reduce down inside on sub downs and rush effectively because his sturdy frame can withstand contact. He had 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025.
