Building the Chicago Bears 2026 NFL Draft big board | Ranking NFL Draft prospects for Ryan Poles

The Chicago Bears' 2026 NFL Draft prospects are far less exciting than in previous years, with the team picking 25th—well outside the top 10—making it a high-stakes exercise in splitting hairs between players with subtle flaws. On the Locked On Bears podcast, host Lauren Cox builds a hypothetical big board based on talent, need, and scheme fit, arguing that the Bears should prioritize defensive talent over positional need. The top pick on her board is Oregon safety Dylan Thienemann, a versatile, elite-tier player who would be a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system. Behind him, a tight cluster of edge rushers and cornerbacks—Keldrick Falk, Akeem Mesidor, and Avion Terrell—form a second tier where the differences are minimal. Cox expresses cautious optimism about these players but notes they’re not 'game-changers.' The real challenge comes after the top seven: she draws a sharp line at number seven, with Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil Warren, and declares that anyone after him isn’t worth the 25th pick. She advocates for trading down, arguing that the drop-off in value between picks 25 and 50 is too small to justify a first-round pick on a 'solid but not special' player. The episode also explores why offensive tackles, linebackers, and tight ends don’t make the cut, and raises the controversial possibility that a wide receiver could be the 'best player available'—but only if one falls far enough.