In the first installment of this three-part series, we focused on five players whom I would label as the “best fits” for the Bears in Round 1. The next step in the exercise involves taking a deeper dive into who could be available on Day 2 and who fits the best. For my money, Day 2 is when Chicago finds the best value and, frankly, the best fits for their team, both in the short and long term.
Heading into next weekend, the Bears are currently slated to have three selections throughout this stretch,
but could easily add another bite at the apple if they choose to trade down in Round 1. With the tale set for the second installment in this three-part series, let’s dive into five names that could be the best fits for the Chicago Bears in each round on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round 2
- DE Gabe Jacas (Illinois)
Of any player on Day 2, I’m not sure I love a “fit” more than I do with Jacas. Not only could he be considered somewhat of a “local product” when it comes to where he went to college, but from a size and traits perspective, he fits the bill. The biggest issue here is that Jacas is projected to go right between the Bears’ No. 25 pick and their first selection in Round 2 at No. 57. Taking him would likely require a trade of some sort. That said, I’d be all for it.
- DE Malachi Lawrence (UCF)
Speaking of players that are likely to go in between the Bears’ first two picks, Lawrence is another one that fits the bill. In my latest mock draft, I had Chicago trading back to the last few picks of the first round and “reaching” a bit on Lawrence. It’s worth mentioning that with so many players grouped up in the bottom half of Round 1, well into the second round, it’s quite possible that the Bears could end up with a considerably higher grade on someone like Jacas or Lawrence than the consensus.
- DB Keionte Scott (Miami)
Scott is one of the more intriguing prospects for a Round 2 fit with a team like the Bears. Not only is he on the older side, but his lack of size might dictate a smaller (or different) role for him at the NFL level. It’s worth noting that they did bring him in for a Top 30 visit. Still, considering his size and projected role at the NFL level, it’s hard to imagine them seeing him as anything other than a safety with the versatility to slide around in coverage in nickel and dime packages. That said, he’s a fun player to watch, and it’s easy to see why whoever drafts him will get a Week 1 starter with some serious edge to his game.
- DT Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
Even though the Bears signed a trio of free agents on the defensive interior, it’s easy to look at their current depth chart and see a glaring need, both in the immediate and the future. The issue, especially for the Bears, is that this isn’t an overly deep class at defensive tackle, and the list of potential fits is even smaller with what Allen prefers on the interior. If they pass on Woods in the second, Halton is a player that fits the scheme like a glove, even if taking him at the back-half of Round 2 might be considered a “reach” by some. Halton was extremely impactful at Oklahoma, but was firmly entrenched within a deep rotation. So, while some are skeptical that he could be a full-time starter out of the gate, the situation in Chicago might be the most advantageous.
- DB Treydan Stukes (Arizona)
You get an older cornerback convert! And you get an older cornerback convert!
That’s how it feels putting a pair of cornerbacks on this list that would slide to safety, but considering the overall age of this draft class and what Allen prefers, this might be the best route to solving their other starting safety spot. Stukes, like Scott, is a fun player to watch, and it’s easy to see a quick path to him being a very good starting NFL safety. Age is a factor, and ESPN’s Field Yates had a note about him turning 26 before Week 1, which is not ideal. That said, Allen’s scheme calls for versatility and athleticism, which are two of Stukes’ calling cards. On top of that, he’s well-regarded as a leader and could check the “Bears Box” with flying colors.
Round 3
- DE Derrick Moore (Michigan)
Even with the Bears picking in the back-half of Round 3, it’s easy to see multiple paths to a starting-caliber player. While I have edge rusher as a spot that needs to be addressed early, it’s always possible that the strength of the board falls in a different direction over their first three selections. If that’s the case, Moore could be a player that makes plenty of sense for them in Round 3, assuming he’s there.
- C Logan Jones (Iowa)
Looking at more “realistic” scenarios, positions like center, safety, and receiver are areas that are more likely to have the best talent still on the board when the Bears make their selection at No. 89. The rankings for this center class are all over the place, but to me, Jones is a perfect fit in Ben Johnson’s offense. He might be slightly undersized, but frankly, most true centers are. He possesses natural leadership skills and an understanding of the line of scrimmage. Also, if we’re being honest, taking Iowa players, especially on the offensive line and secondary, is almost always a safe bet.
- S Bud Clark (TCU)
If I were a betting man heading into the early portions of the draft, I’d feel extremely comfortable wagering that the Bears will address the safety position within one of their first three picks. As I noted in my first installment, the chances that a player like Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is on the board and is the “best player available” in Round 1 feel likely, at least to me. That said, if the Bears take a more patient route and choose to fill needs in the trenches, a player like Clark in Round 3 would be a great “consolation prize”. He possesses many of the desired traits that Allen loves, and could easily slide in as a Week 1 starter opposite of Coby Bryant.
- WR De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss)
Outside of left tackle, the one “surprise” area I could see the Bears addressing early in the draft is at receiver. While I mentioned Jordan Tyson as a potential candidate in Round 1, Day 2 feels much more likely. With the theme of the offseason being speed, Stribling, or even someone like Brenen Thompson could make plenty of sense (if they are available) in the third round. Stribling may never be a full-time player, but he brings a much-needed element to this offense, which would help consistently take the top off defenses.
- C Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
In an ideal world, the Bears will be able to wait until their fourth-round pick to address the center position. As we learned last year at running back, most of the time, the draft isn’t part of the “ideal world”, meaning that Chicago might be forced into taking their favorite developmental center a round earlier than they’d like. While I have Jones as my favorite fit for the Bears, Hecht is a close second. If they decide they want a center that can potentially start in Year 1, taking a traditional center with the requisite experience makes the most sense. Hecht is bigger but might be slightly more athletically limited than Jones.
