Chicago Bears Draft Review: Part Two

The 2026 NFL Draft is well over now, but the fun is about to begin with offseason activities and, very soon, training camp. The Chicago Bears have now had some minicamps, and we are getting a better feel for what some of the new rookies might be able to do in the Bears’ system.

While nothing is for sure when it comes to the NFL Draft until at least three years after it’s over, the Bears are already banking on the fact that their 2026 draft looks like it could be a good one. There are some very solid picks, and a couple of questionable ones, but overall, it looks like it’s going to be a winner.

The following is a look at the second half of the Chicago Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft.

Cornering the Market on Corners

The Bears needed help in the secondary as Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon struggled with injuries in 2025. Having someone who could start as a backup but eventually become a starter was the right move for the Bears in the fourth round.

Malik Muhammad appears to be a pro-ready player who might just be one of the top finds of the fourth round. If anything, he provides great depth should someone get hurt. But for now, he needs to sit back and learn the tools of the trade and develop into what the Bears need.

Muhammad is coming in with a chip on his shoulder, he says, so he’ll have something to prove. He seems to be a bit frustrated that he was picked where he was, so he’ll have a lot to show. Advantage Bears in this because they are going to get a great talent who will be trying his best to not only make the roster but also crack the starting lineup.

With Special Teams in Mind

The Bears’ fifth-round selection of Keyshaun Elliott, a linebacker out of Arizona State, had a key to it. Special teams were the biggest key as the Bears sought to build up their special teams. That’s where Elliott will start, providing he can make the active roster in 2026. If he can’t, he’ll be a practice squad player while he builds himself up to handle the NFL grind.

Judging by what Elliott was able to do in college, he could end up moving into a starting role. Right now, the Bears are pretty set at linebacker, but should there be an injury or, at some point later, when guys like TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell are gone for good, Elliott might be able to crack the starting lineup. But for now, consider him a special-teams guy who will have to fight to make the active roster come this summer, unless injuries happen and allow him to grab a spot on the active roster.

A Pick for the Ages?

The Bears are extremely high on a guy from Georgia Tech named Jordan van den Berg. The Bears selected the only defensive lineman, moving up a few spots to do so. He might end up being the steal of the draft for the Bears. The team was very high on him and thought he could be something special. We’ll soon see if the Bears end up getting what they think they got.

Of all the players in training camp, van den Berg is likely to be one of the most scrutinized. Not only did the Bears give up picks for him, but they also gave up the chance to grab some depth. However, the defensive tackle position is a need, so this looks like a wise pickup. If he does well, it could be a big boost for the defense.

The Back Half of the Draft

There are diamonds to be found in the later rounds of the draft. Almost every team has found someone who turns out to be an all-star. Quarterback Brock Purdy is a recent example of a successful player found in the latter stages of the draft. Could the Bears have found a guy or guys who could have had similar success? Most people feel that van den Berg is the guy who will surprise. They feel that he will be the coveted “find” in the later rounds.

The Bears’ draft looks good so far, but you cannot determine how well they did until about three years later. You can see some immediate results, like we did last year, but it takes a good three years to get a feel for how a draft went.

How will the Bears feel three years after this draft? How will the fans rate this draft? Hopefully, we will get to see many of these guys sooner rather than later.