Bears Prioritize Defense in Draft, Eye Safety McNeil-Warren

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The Chicago Bears made several moves in free agency to bolster their roster, but key defensive

gaps remain heading into the 2026 NFL.

Draft?

They're projected to pick 25th overall, with experts focusing on needs at defensive tackle,

edge rusher, and safety after a quiet start to the offseason.

They added depth pieces like Neville, Gala Moore, and Contavia Street up front, but skipped

big splashes on the edge.

At safety, they brought in Super Bowl champ Kobe Bryant, yet lost Kevin Byard and

Jaquan Briskere to other teams, leaving a starting spot open.

Moctrass from outlets like USA Today, The Athletic, and NFL.com now pointed to Lido Safety,

Emmanuel McNeil Warren as the top choice for Chicago.

Finalists praise his size, speed, and playmaking to pair with Bryant, and fix the back end.

A few mocks differ, with ESPN eyeing Missouri defensive end Zion Young for his sack production,

or Pixlite Clemson's TJ Parker and Peter Woods to, shore up the line opposite Montess

sweat.

Still, Safety leaves the pack amid the team's pressure struggles last season.

As free agency wraps, these projections show Ryan Poles prioritizing immediate defensive

help, blending free agent tweaks with draft upside to build a stronger unit next year.