Bears’ Mock Madness: Targeting Safeties

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images In celebration of March Madness, WCG

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What is the story about?

In celebration of March Madness, WCG is bringing fans of the Chicago Bears a special kind of bracket. Drawing on the Consensus Board at Mock Draft Database and looking at other individual boards for perspective, we are going to present 16 different 2-round mock drafts for the Chicago Bears. These 16 mocks are divided into four groups: the Defensive Tackle group, the Edge group, the Safety group, and the Offensive Tackle group. In round one, for each group, we will be asking of these choices, which

pair of options fans prefer for Chicago.

Next up, we have the priority Safety group. Because the slotting of safeties is largely out of alignment with where Chicago picks, most of these choices involve a trade of some kind.

#1 vs #4

#1 Seed. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (SF, Toledo) + Malachi Lawrence (ED, UCF) + Gracen Halton (DL, Oklahoma)

In many ways, this resembles what is looking more and more like a “chalk” draft for Chicago, with all picks at their native positions (#25, #57, and #60). It makes a lot of sense.

VS

#4 Seed. Caleb Downs (SF, Ohio State)

Here, presumably, Downs fell into range where Chicago was able to move up, but only at the cost of both of their second-round picks. On the Rich Hill Chart, this would get them into reach of the Rams’ pick acquired from the Falcons; on the Johnson Chart, though, this got me up to #9. That knee better be okay.

#2 vs #4

#2 Seed. Dillon Thieneman (SF, Oregon) + Gabe Jacas (ED, Illinois)

Here, Chicago needed to give up the “DJ Moore pick” in the interest of securing a potentially blue chip player for their secondary at #16. They do manage to take a well-regarded edge defender, however, at #57.

VS

#2 Seed. Bud Clark (SF, TCU) + Derrick Moore (ED, Michigan) + Caleb Tiernan (OT, Northwestern) + Jake Slaughter (C, Florida).

“Priority” is a misnomer, here, as is “two-round”, but by trading out of the first day Chicago ends up with an extra pick on Day 2 (almost four picks in the second round). As a result, they can come away with four key positions improved in the top 70 picks. For the record, it was trade with Houston (38, 59, and 69 in exchange for 25 and 57) where the Texans took Bisontis. For Chicago, Moore was taken at #38, Tiernan #59, Slaughter #60, and Clark #69.