The Chicago Bears finally have their quarterback. Caleb Williams is here, and for the first time in what feels like decades, the franchise has a legitimate shot at building something sustainable. But here’s the problem: one golden-armed QB doesn’t fix everything. The roster still has holes you could drive a dump truck through, especially in the trenches.
That’s where the 2026 NFL Draft comes into play. Yeah, I know, we’re barely into the college season and already talking about next year’s draft. But if you think Ryan Poles and his staff aren’t already circling names and making spreadsheets full of tape notes, you’re kidding yourself. And if you’re a Bears fan, you should be doing the same — because the path to relevance isn’t just Caleb slinging it; it’s surrounding him with guys who can take over games.
Based on Week 1 of the college football season and Chicago’s obvious roster needs, here are five dudes you should absolutely keep an eye on this fall.
1. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Why He’s a Bears Fit: Chicago’s pass rush outside of Montez Sweat is basically a participation trophy. If you’re hoping Julius Peppers 2.0 walks through that door, don’t hold your breath. Woods, on the other hand, is the kind of interior menace this defense has been begging for. At 6’3” and 310 pounds, he’s got that low-center-of-gravity explosion that makes offensive linemen look like they’re playing on ice skates. Scouts are already whispering Aaron Donald comps, and while that’s lofty, the tape shows a dude who can wreck pockets from the inside out.
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Week 1 Recap: Clemson lost to LSU 17-10, but Woods was the reason that game didn’t turn into a blowout. He lived in LSU’s backfield, consistently blowing up protections and forcing their QB off his spot. He only logged a handful of tackles, but this isn’t a box score player — we’re talking about a guy who tilts the field with pure disruption.
Draft Stock: Right now, Woods is a consensus top-10 pick. The Bears might have to actually win fewer games than we want to land him, but let’s be real: a defensive tackle like this could be the difference between sweating out another 7-10 season or actually looking like a threat.
2. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Why He’s a Bears Fit: The Bears’ division just got nastier. Green Bay went and added Micah Parsons, and Detroit’s O-line is a damn brick wall. Chicago? Still trotting out replacement-level edge rushers opposite Sweat. That’s why Parker is so intriguing. He’s explosive, polished, and productive — 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss last year. He’s not just winning with speed; he’s got an arsenal of rush moves that make tackles second-guess themselves before the ball’s even snapped.
Week 1 Recap: Against LSU, Parker was constantly in the quarterback’s face. He also had a boneheaded late-hit penalty that cost Clemson dearly, but if we’re being honest, I’d rather have an edge guy who plays too mean than one who’s invisible for 60 minutes.
Draft Stock: Top-15 projection right now. If Chicago misses out on Woods, Parker’s the next best ticket to building a pass rush that can finally hang in the NFC North.
3. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Why He’s a Bears Fit: Kevin Byard is basically playing on borrowed time, and the Jaquan Brisker has had too many injury scares, and you just can’t trust him to stay healthy. Enter Caleb Downs, who might be the most instinctive safety prospect since Ed Reed. Yeah, I said it. Downs sees plays before they happen, he closes like a missile, and he’s not afraid to put his shoulder through your chest if that’s what it takes.
Week 1 Recap: Ohio State pulled off a 14-7 stunner against Texas, and Downs was the headliner. Arch Manning looked shook every time Downs floated into his sightline. The guy sealed the win with a fourth-down stop that had NFL scouts scribbling dollar signs in their notebooks. CBS Sports said he was “in Manning’s head all day,” and that about sums it up.
Draft Stock: Top-10 lock at this point. If the Bears land him, we’re talking about a decade-long anchor in the secondary.
4. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Why He’s a Bears Fit: Protecting Caleb Williams isn’t optional — it’s the only thing that matters. And while Braxton Jones has been serviceable, the line still feels like duct tape and bubble gum. Mauigoa is the type of mauler you plug in at tackle and forget about for the next eight years. He gave up just one sack on 500+ snaps last year, which is absurd. He’s versatile enough to play both tackle spots, which is exactly the kind of insurance you need in the NFL.
Week 1 Recap: Miami’s upset over Notre Dame? Mauigoa was a big reason why. He stonewalled Notre Dame’s vaunted pass rush all night, keeping Carson Beck clean long enough to pick apart the defense.
Draft Stock: He’s already drawing Penei Sewell comparisons, which should make every Bears fan drool. This is a first-rounder who could be protecting Caleb’s blind side for years.
5. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Why He’s a Bears Fit: You can’t build a pass rush with one guy, and Bain is the exact type of explosive, versatile piece Chicago needs opposite Sweat. At 6’3” and 276, he’s got the size to kick inside if needed, but his bread-and-butter is coming off the edge with a nasty combination of power and speed.
Week 1 Recap: Bain was flat-out dominant against Notre Dame. Half a sack, six tackles, four pressures, and — oh yeah — an interception. From a defensive lineman. His PFF grade (94.4) was elite, and his win rate numbers (43.8% pass rush win rate) were downright video-game stuff. The interception in particular showed the kind of instincts you just can’t teach.
Draft Stock: Right now, Bain is hovering in the late first/early second round projection. But if he keeps stringing together performances like this, he’s vaulting into the first-round conversation.
Final Verdict
These five guys check every box for Chicago’s needs: pass rush, secondary stability, and protecting Caleb Williams. If the Bears walk away from the 2026 draft with even one of these players, it’s a step toward relevance. Land two? Now we’re talking about building an actual contender.
So Bears fans, buckle up. Saturdays this fall aren’t just about tailgates and watching Michigan beat the hell out of some overmatched MAC school. They’re about scouting the future of this franchise. Because the guys who could change everything for Chicago are already out there, making plays that might one day swing playoff games at Soldier Field.