BEARS SQUAD SHOW: Who would be the TOP trade up targets for the Chicago Bears in the NFL Draft?

The Chicago Bears are poised to make a pivotal decision at pick 25 in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Locked On Bears team, joined by draft analyst Jacob Infante, dives deep into the top trade-up targets. The consensus? Defensive tackle Peter Woods is the most realistic and highly coveted pick, with his elite tape and three-down potential making him a perfect fit for Dennis Allen’s defense. But the real debate centers on whether the Bears should trade up for blue-chip talent like safety Caleb Downs or edge rusher Reuben Bain—both of whom are projected to fall due to positional concerns. While Downs’ lack of a top-10 safety draft since 2017 makes him a rare value, Bain’s 270-pound frame and raw power could be the missing piece opposite Montez Sweat. The episode also challenges the narrative that Hakeem Mesidor’s success is due to age, revealing he faced numerous senior offensive linemen. Despite concerns over his injury history, Mesidor remains a top-10 talent. The Bears are also seen as likely to prioritize depth at receiver and center, with a strong mid-round class available. Ultimately, the show argues that the Bears should only trade up for a true difference-maker—someone like Bain or Downs—where the risk is justified by long-term impact, not just positional need.