(104.3 The Score) Coming off a breakthrough season in which they won the NFC North, the Bears hope to build on the foundation they set. In order to accomplish that, they need to identify impact players to further bolster their roster.
The NFL Draft provides an opportunity to do just that. The Bears currently hold the No. 25 overall pick in the first round as well as two selections in the second round. They have seven selections in all in the NFL Draft, which will begin next Thursday.
As general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears look at add another key player at No. 25 overall, here are five prospects who could be in play at that slot.
Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor
The Bears’ biggest needs are on defense, and they could shore those up in this draft. But Poles and his brass often reference their desire to select the best player available. At No. 25 overall, that could be Proctor, who has the potential to be a franchise left tackle.
A consensus All-American at Alabama, Proctor is 6-foot-7 and more than 350 pounds. He'd provide the blindside protection for quarterback Caleb Williams as an instant starter in 2026 and likely for many years to come.
As it stands now, the Bears are set to have a left tackle competition between Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills Jr. Both players signed one-year deals with Chicago this offseason, so uncertainty surrounds the long-term outlook for the Bears at left tackle.
Selecting Proctor would certainly change that. He and right tackle Darnell Wright would bookend one of the top offensive lines in the NFL.
Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald
The Bears ranked 27th against the run in 2025. Those struggles stemmed in large part from the underwhelming play of their interior defensive line. Selecting McDonald would address that immediately.
McDonald is one of the top defensive tackles in this draft class and arguably the best against the run. He was a unanimous All-American at Ohio State who earned a reputation for being a disruptive presence.
McDonald posted 65 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and three sacks for the Buckeyes last season. He would bolster the Bears’ defensive line and give them a key presence to improve against the run.
Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk
The Bears have a dire need to improve their pass rush. Fortunately, that need aligns with a strength of this draft class.
Faulk is a fascinating player as he's set to enter the NFL. He had just two sacks for Auburn last season but is still considered a first-round talent. It’s because of his prototypical size (6-foot-6 and 276 pounds) and his high character.
The 21-year-old Faulk is the type of prospect that NFL teams believe can be molded into a premier pass rusher. He was a captain at Auburn, and talent evaluators believe he's willing to work in order to reach his full potential.
The Bears could covet a more proven pass rusher like Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell, who had 11.5 sacks in 2025 but who lacks the prototypical size for the position. For his part, Faulk is the type of prospect whose upside could be worth betting on.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman
Across three years in the Big Ten, Thieneman posted 302 total tackles, eight interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles. It’s because he’s all over the field.
Thieneman is an exciting prospect and the type of player who would fit well in Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme. He'd be a chess piece who could move around and loom as a playmaker every snap.
The Bears allowed safeties Kevin Byard (Patriots) and Jaquan Brisker (Steelers) to depart in free agency, then signed Coby Bryant on a three-year, $40-million deal in March.
It isn't exactly clear how the Bears' secondary will take shape, but Thieneman would transform it alongside Bryant.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez
The Bears brought Rodriguez in for a visit at Halas Hall earlier in April, and they have legitimate interest in drafting him.
As the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award, Rodriguez was the top defender in college football last season, when he also finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He did so after posting 128 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and four interceptions.
Rodriguez is a gifted, versatile linebacker who would elevate any defense. He grew up in a military family and is praised as a high-character person.
While linebacker is an understated need for the Bears, Rodriguez would be an ideal fit for their defense.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
