Why Ryan Poles’ Draft Plans Are Now Obvious After Bears Free Agency Moves
The Chicago Bears will make more moves in the coming days. However, it appears their biggest free agency swings are complete. Among their big additions are safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. They also brought back linebacker D’Marco Jackson and left tackle Braxton Jones on modest deals. When looking at the full picture of what they’ve done, the plan Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have going into the 2026 draft is obvious.
Going into the offseason, these were the position groups most felt were their biggest needs.
- Defensive tackle
- Edge rusher
- Safety
- Linebacker
- Left tackle
In the past 48 hours, as the league year is about to begin, they have addressed four of those five positions with notable signings. Only one is unaccounted for.
The curious absence of any moves at edge rusher, combined with knowledge that the 2026 draft class is loaded with them, makes it pretty obvious which direction the Bears plan to go early. They have four picks in the first three rounds. It wouldn’t be shocking if they choose to double down at the position.
Ryan Poles has ducked edge rushers for long enough.
By far the strangest fact about his tenure as GM is that he has never spent a draft pick on an edge rusher higher than the 5th round since he arrived in 2022. Shemar Turner was a 2nd-round pick, but it’s unclear whether he’s a defensive tackle or a defensive end at this point. No Bears general manager has ever gone five straight drafts without taking a pass rusher in the 1st round.
- Jim Finks – Year 5
- Jerry Vainisi – Year 2
- Bill Tobin – Year 3
- Rod Graves – Year 2
- Mark Hatley – Fired before Year 5
- Jerry Angelo – Year 2
- Phil Emery – Year 1
- Ryan Pace – Year 2
- Ryan Poles – ???
Every pick to this point has been on the offensive side. This year feels like the one to finally cross the line of scrimmage and grab that pass rusher. The data certainly backs it up.
| Position Group | Number of Projected Top 50 Picks | Notable Prospects |
|---|---|---|
| Edge Rusher | 11 | David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Arvell Reese (Ohio State) |
| Offensive Tackle | 8 | Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Spencer Fano (Utah), Monroe Freeling (Georgia) |
| Wide Receiver | 8 | Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Makai Lemon (USC), Jordyn Tyson (ASU) |
| Cornerback | 7 | Mansoor Delane (LSU), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), Avieon Terrell (Clemson) |
| Defensive Tackle | 5 | Peter Woods (Clemson), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Caleb Banks (Florida) |
| Linebacker | 4 | Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), CJ Allen (Georgia) |
| Safety | 3 | Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) |
| Running Back | 2 | Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) |
| Quarterback | 2 | Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Ty Simpson (Alabama) |
| Interior OL | 2 | Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State), Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M) |
| Tight End | 1 | Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) |
Now, there is always the possibility that somebody of note at another position falls to the Bears that they can’t pass on. It happens every year. However, the odds clearly favor an edge rusher they like being on the board at #25 overall. Plenty of notable names have been drafted in that range, from Clay Matthews to Cameron Jordan, Chandler Jones, T.J. Watt, and George Karlaftis.
The Bears could have some tempting options.
There is no predicting how the board will fall next month. There are 24 picks ahead of Chicago. At any point, there could be a significant run on pass rushers, which would limit the options Ryan Poles might be comfortable with. Still, there is a handful of names who could be there and fit the physical profile Dennis Allen prefers. We’re talking at least 6’3″, 260 lbs with 33-inch arms. When looking at the cluster of 1st round prospects, the names that fit that profile include:
- Keldric Faulk (Auburn)
- Zion Young (Missouri)
- Malachi Lawrence (UCF)
- Gabe Jacas (Illinois)
- T.J. Parker (Clemson)
It isn’t crazy to think at least two of those names will be on the board at #25. From there, it comes down to who else is available at other positions. If things unfold as many project, the Bears will leave night one of the draft with a new edge rusher to team with Montez Sweat and Austin Booker. It is a good plan that has high odds of working out in their favor. Give Poles credit. He’s been playing talent pool well this offseason. Let’s see if he can deliver the knockout blow.