With the No. 166 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliottz
Originally starting his collegiate career at New Mexico State, Elliott was an impact linebacker as a sophomore in 2023. He transferred to Arizona State in 2024, serving as a reliable contributor on defense during his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility.
The Bears acquired Devin Bush to replace Tremaine Edmunds in their starting lineup, and they brought back Jack Sanborn after he spent
a year away in Dallas. However, after bringing Elliott into the mix, they have a pretty crowded linebacker group. He’ll compete with the likes of Sanborn, D’Marco Jackson, Noah Sewell, and Ruben Hyppolite II for a roster spot, though his status as a fifth-round rookie makes him a likely owner of a 53-man roster spot.
As I’ve done since 2019, I put together a thread involving my analysis of each Bears draft selection, sharing some clips that highlight their strengths along the way. This year is certainly no different, so here’s my quick-hit evaluation of the Bears selecting Elliott in Round 5.
THE NUMBERS
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 231 pounds
RAS: 8.74
2025 PFSN LB Impact Score: 83.3 (13th in the FBS)
2025 tackles: 98
2025 tackles for a loss: 14
2025 sacks: 7
List of accomplishments: 2023 second-team All-C-USA, two-time second-team All-Big 12
