Fox 32 Chicago NFL Mock Draft: Post-NFL Free Agency predictions for the Chicago Bears and more

It is officially NFL mock draft season.

The picks and predictions for the Chicago Bears vary by analyst, but the consensus is the Bears' biggest needs in the 2026 NFL Draft are:

• Safety
• Defensive tackle
• Offensive tackle
• EDGE rusher.

While protecting Caleb Williams needs to be at the front of the Bears' minds, they also need to replace Jaquan Brisker as the starting strong safety. They also need a rockstar defensive tackle that helps the defensive pass rush and run game.

With the draft less than a month away, here are FOX 32 Chicago's first-round predictions in our 2026 NFL post-free agency mock draft.

2026 NFL Mock Draft:

1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)

Pick: Fernando Mendoza, QB – Indiana

This pick should stay the same. The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins, but he'll be a fantastic mentor to Mendoza.

2. New York Jets (3-14)

Pick: Arvell Reese, EDGE – Ohio State

Will McDonald IV is on the left side of the defense. Reese said at the NFL Combine that he's an outside linebacker, and putting him on the outside of the Jets' 3-4 defense would help with some of Aaron Glenn's issues.

3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)

Pick: Francis Mauigoa, Miami – OT

Some have Arizona picking a running back at No. 3, but who's going to block for that back? Mauigoa would be a plug-and-play player at right tackle.

4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)

Pick: Jeremiyah Love, RB – Notre Dame

Love dropped into Tennessee for a top-30 visit and has been picking up momentum all month long. New OC Brian Daboll could use one of the top offensive linemen, but what about the best player in the draft?

5. New York Giants (4-13)

Pick: Sonny Styles, LB – Ohio State

The fantastic NFL Combine for Styles feels like it locks him into the top 10. Styles can pair well with the defensive front the Giants have in place, plus veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)

Pick: Monroe Freeling, OT – Georgia

The Browns need a receiver and an offensive tackle. They have two firsts to use, and taking the fast-rising Freeling feels in line with what the Browns want.

7. Washington Commanders (5-12)

Pick: David Bailey, EDGE – Texas Tech

Giving free agent deals to Oweh and Chaisson means a pass rusher isn't a pressing need, but Bailey is too good to pass up.

8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)

Pick: Carnell Tate, WR – Ohio State

Adding Travis Etienne in free agency is one thing. Going into the season with Mason Tipton and Devaughn Vele as potential No. 2 wide receivers is another. Coach Kellen Moore gets his guy behind Chris Olave.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)

Pick: Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE – Miami

The Chiefs have two first rounders after trading Trent McDuffie, and Bain is a lovely fit alongside Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga and George Karlaftis.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)

Pick: Caleb Downs, S – Ohio State

Boye Mafe comes in, and Trey Hendrickson goes out. Why not upgrade the defense with one of the best defensive players in the draft?

11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)

Pick: Mansoor Delane, CB – LSU

Losing Waddle to Denver means the Dolphins get a second first rounder and a need at receiver. They fill their need for a corner first with a defensive head coach.

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)

Pick: Jermod McCoy, CB – Tennessee 

Dallas gets one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. You can argue about the merits of McCoy's ACL injury, but he's one of the best cover corners available.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta: 8-9)

Pick: Makai Lemon, WR – USC

Davante Adams' career is in its back half. He could play for another few years or hang it up soon, it's up to him. Why not prepare for the future with the Belitnikoff Award winner?

14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)

Pick: Olaivavega Ioane, OG – Penn State

The Ravens could opt for Kenyon Sadiq to fill Isaiah Likely's departure, but Ioane is the best offensive guard since Quentin Nelson. Protecting Lamar Jackson is the right move. 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)

Pick: Kenyon Sadiq, TE – Oregon

New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson loves the 12 personnel formations. Why not follow the Bears' lead with Colston Loveland and get an athletic, pass-catching tight end?

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis: 8-9)

Pick: Ty Simpson, QB – Alabama

Here's the swing. Not many quarterbacks with less than a year of experience in college have blossomed in the NFL, but this gives the Jets some sort of direction with Geno Smith giving Simpson the time to start.

17. Detroit Lions (9-8)

Pick: Spencer Fano, OL – Utah

Dan Campbell, at the NFL Owner's Meetings, said the Lions will explore Penei Sewell at left tackle. An EDGE rusher made sense here, but grabbing the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft gives Detroit options.

18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)

Pick: Dillon Thieneman, S – Oregon

Harrison Smith's potential replacement, Thieneman and Emmanuel NcNeil-Warren are the two safeties next after Caleb Downs. Thieneman gets the nod with his specialty being his coverage skills.

19. Carolina Panthers (8-9)

Pick: Max Iheanachor, OT – Arizona State

The torn patellar injury to Ikem Ekwonu means the left tackle position is up for debate. Carolina signed Rashawn Walker to a one-year deal, but this makes sure Bryce Young is protected.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay: 9-7-1)

Pick: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE – Miami

Dallas traded for Rashan Gary, but they still need help on the defensive line. Dallas adds a plug-and-play pass rusher whose biggest red flags (age and length) are eased by Gary, Quinnen Williams, DeMarvion Overshown and Kenny Clark's presence.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

Pick: Kadyn Proctor, OT – Alabama

The Steelers' trade for Michael Pittman Jr. helps ease the need at receiver, especially in a Mike McCarthy system that relies on wide outs more than tight ends. Instead, Getting Proctor gives the Steelers a tackle for the future with Broderick Jones in a contract year.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

Pick: Keldrick Faulk, EDGE – Auburn

The Chargers will get two offensive linemen back in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. That solves the protection issues we saw in the playoffs against New England. Getting Faulk in the same room as Khalil Mack will work wonders for the young-but-talented Faulk.

23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

Pick: Blake Miller, OT – Clemson

The deep EDGE rusher class means the Eagles can wait a bit to help fill Nakobe Dean's absence, and Miller could slot in as Lane Johnson's heir apparent at left tackle.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville: 13-4)

Pick: Jordyn Tyson, WR – Arizona State

With their left tackle set in Freeling, Tyson lands in Cleveland. There will be no arguing in the Browns' draft room.

25. Chicago Bears (11-6)

Pick: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S – Toledo

The Bears need a safety opposite Coby Bryant. Earlier this offseason, it made sense to pursue a defensive tackle but the Bears have added depth there this offseason.

There might be a handful of options in the second round, but that's not why the Bears would consider McNeil-Warren. His ability to defend in the run game will compliment Bryant's coverage abilities. He's an immediate starter in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's defense. 

26. Buffalo Bills (12-5)

Pick: CJ Allen, LB – Georgia

The DJ Moore trade gives the Bills an immediate boost at wide out, but inside linebacker is the one spot that hasn't been addressed this offseason.

27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

Pick: KC Conception, WR – Texas A&M

Brandon Aiyuk and Jajan Jennings are on the outs; Christian Kirk and Mike Evans are incoming. Conception deepens the receiver room for Kyle Shanahan.

28. Houston Texans (12-5)

Pick: Kayden McDonald, DT – Ohio State

Houston added to its offensive line in free agency, meaning they can swing on a run-stuffer with pl

29. Kansas City Chiefs (From Los Angeles: 12-5)

Pick: Avieon Terrell, CB – Clemson

The Chiefs load up on young defensive pieces, with Terrell giving the Chiefs flexibility in playing him at inside or outside corner.

30. Miami Dolphins (From Denver: 14-3)

Pick: Omar Cooper Jr., WR – Indiana

Conception or another receiver could fall here, but Cooper is the first swing at building a fleshed out receiver room now that Tyreek Hill and Waddle are gone.

31. New England Patriots (14-3)

Pick: TJ Parker, EDGE – Clemson

Take your pick, Pats. Cashius Howell, R Mason Thomas and Parker are available to help a defensive line that needs to get more sacks in 2026.

32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

Pick: Jadarian Price, RB – Notre Dame

Seattle lost a Super Bowl MVP in Kenneth Walker. Getting Price here adds the fifth-year option to his rookie deal, and makes the future of the Seahawks running game clear.