It's the final day of October on the calendar and while the tricks and treats are plentiful, it's say to say that the this season for Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears has been a real treat so far. Despite losing in week 8, the Bears have rebounded from an 0-2 start and are still one game above .500.
But the offense has tricked us all into thinking that it's a unit making strides. Make no mistake, the whole unit has taken a step forward compared to last season. But for the offense to go from good to great, the quarterback will ultimately need to be more consistent.
Seven games into the 2025 season, the Bears needs are becoming clearer. By this point, it's a well known fact that the 2026 NFL Draft will be a great opportunity for the front office and coaching staff to add an edge rusher, offensive tackle, running back, and some additional depth in the secondary.
Keep in mind that everything you see in this mock draft is merely projections and it'll continue to be all projections until the winter months, when NFL personnel and the media have a much clearer picture of how the class has shaped out. None of the players have officially declared and if your favorite prospect isn't listed or drafted where you think, it's okay. A player listed as a projected first-round pick in October could end up being a fifth-rounder when all is said and done.
For the Chicago Bears, 2026 will be the second year of the Johnson-Ryan Poles-Caleb Williams marriage. While much of the Bears' core is under contract through at least 2027 or 2028, Chicago is expected to have seven picks in 2026, presenting an opportunity to get even younger while continuing to stack talent.
Each month during the college football season, expect to see a monthly mock draft. The picks will be made in accordance with the Bears regular season record at time. Player selections will also fluctuate based on where the Bears are picking and potential roster needs that could pop up as the season progresses. Both are factors that could alter what the 2026 draft cycle for the Bears looks like. Player rankings were based on the simulator used in this mock draft.
Let's get into the October edition of our way-too-early Bears 2026 mock draft.
Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? Sign up now to get access to everything publisher Zack Pearson and the entire Bear Report team have to offer on all things Chicago Bears and access to the No. 1 site covering the team!
SLIDE1 of 8
Round One, Pick 18: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio St.
(Photo: Adam Cairns, USA TODAY Sports)
Linebacker may not be a major need for the Bears going into 2026 but it's hard to pass up on a player of Arvell Reese's caliber. He's been one of the biggest risers throughout the college season and has continued to make plays for Ohio State each week.
Since stepping on campus back in 2023, Reese has continued to get better each week. He hits like a linebacker but is also able to cover ground like a safety. Over the next few months, he should continue to see his draft stock rising, especially as the predraft process really heats up.
Reese's length and instincts are two traits the Bears front office should be enamored with. He can easily read and react as a run defender and quick shoot gaps to make plays. His initial first step is also explosive, allowing him to get into the backfield within seconds of the snap.
Because of his athleticism, he's the type of player who could rush the passer while standing up or with his hand in the dirt. His versatility makes the type of player that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can build an entire defense around.
Adding more juice to the pass rush will be one of the top priorities for the Bears next offseason and Reese is the perfect player who could be a long-term building block for the defense.
SLIDE2 of 8
Round 2, Pick 50: Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
(Photo: © Randy Sartin-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
The Bears pass rush has underwhelmed and production hasn't matched the financial investment. While Dominique Robinson has been a late bloomer but pleasant surprise this season, the Bears cannot rely on Austin Booker to take another step forward next year.
Joshua Josephs has been one of the most consistent players for Tennessee's defense over the last three years. He's totaled 9.5 sacks and 22.0 tackles for loss in 45 games so far. With James Pearce Jr. leaving for the NFL at the conclusion of last season, Josephs has become the face of the Vols front seven. General manager Ryan Poles has clearly shown a liking for draft prospects who are good athletes with high ceilings in the second round and Josephs fits that mold.
Watching him throughout the 2025 season, it's clear that Josephs has taken another step forward in his development. He's got an explosive first step that's seemed to get faster compared to last season. He also plays with really disciplined hands and eyes, consistently reading and reacting while making plays. While he could add some additional strength, the high motor he plays is a reason that he rarely comes off the field.
Projecting his ceiling at the next level is a bit tough. With a strong predraft process coupled with his athleticism, he could vault into round one conversation. However, if he does remain a second-round pick, he'd make a great addition to the Bears front seven, eventually developing into the true third edge rusher that the Bears have been searching for.
SLIDE3 of 8
Round 3, Pick 82: RB Justice Haynes, Michigan
(Photo: © Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
While the Bears have figured out the running game for 2025, they'll likely look to upgrade the running back position in 2026. The roster will be more expensive next season, and the franchise can save $8M in cap space by moving on from veteran D'Andre Swift. That means potentially adding a running back who can complement Monangai.
Justice Haynes is a name the Bears front office needs to get familiar with. He's become one of Michigan's best playmakers throughout the 2025 season and he fits everything the offense needs from a rusher and receiver perspective. Haynes has averaged 7.1 yards per carry and 10 rushing touchdowns while hauling in 13 receptions for 50 yards. Prior to arriving in Ann Arbor, Haynes was at the University of Alabama, where he averaged 5.9 yards per play from scrimmage over a two-year period.
If Ben Johnson is looking to get more explosive in the ground game and add a player who can aid in the offense's ability to be two-dimensional, Haynes could end up being a perfect fit for what the Bears offense hopes to turn into come 2026. Having an explosive running game will eventually, open up opportunities for the Bears in the passing game, a unit that will be led by Caleb Williams next season.
SLIDE4 of 8
Round Four, Pick 123: OT Lance Heard, Tennessee
(Photo: © Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images, 247Sports)
Left tackle is a position of uncertainty for the Bears going into 2026 and while it's unlikely that a fourth-round pick ends up starting for Ben Johnson next year, anything is possible. The Bears have drafted at least one offensive tackle every year since Ryan Poles became general manager and it's fair to expect that to continue going into April 2026.
Lance Heard is a player who could make sense for Chicago. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 330 pounds, Heard is massive and has been an anchor for the Vols offensive line, starting 19 games at left tackle between 2024 and 2025. Heard is stout in pass protection and can climb to the second level in the run game, moving defenders off the ball with ease.
While he could be a little bit more refined with his technique, the positive is that he's allowed just three sacks in his entire college career, having originally committed to LSU out of high school.
From the Bears perspective, Heard could be the type of player that ends up developing into an underrated starter for the offensive line. The size, athleticism, and measurables are all reasons that he could be a hidden gem that develops into a top-notch starter at the next level.
SLIDE5 of 8
Round Five, Pick 158: DL Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
(Photo: © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
The Bears know that production hasn't necessarily matched investment on the defensive line and while the team will have Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, and Shemar Turner under contract for next year, the coaching staff and front office can't rely on Jarrett or Turner to be fully healthy going into next year.
Enter Zxavian Harris into the conversation. He's 6-foot-8 and is 331 pounds and has been an anchor for the Ole Miss' defensive line over the last four years. Production-wise, Harris has been consistent, totaling 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks over the last four years.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen loves players with length and strength. Harris possesses the size and strength needed to play in Dennis Allen's defense. If drafted by the Bears next year, he likely won't crack the starting rotation as a rookie but he does have enough developmental traits needed to turn into a solid player that can take some pressure off players like Dexter and Turner. In Ole Miss' game against Georgia on October 18th, Harris had one of the best games of his college career, totaling six tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. He's proven that he can be a consistent enough playmaker to make impact plays in every game.
SLIDE6 of 8
Round Six, Pick 199: WR Aaron Anderson, LSU
(Photo: © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
While the Bears will have DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III playing wide receiver next season, adding some extra speed to the offense should always be an option in a league where speed tends to kill defenses. Aaron Anderson could end up being a fit. While he's only 5-foot-8, Anderson's speed and ability to stretch the field vertically are his best traits.
Throughout his time at LSU, he's consistently proven that he can be a big-play threat. While his production has taken a slight dip in 2025 compared to 2024, Anderson has still found ways to make plays, averaging 13.2 yards per reception this season.
Because of his size concerns, he will end up being the type of player who will be a rotational piece in the offense, but his speed could also allow him to take on a true gadget role in Ben Johnson's offense. That would mean potentially getting the ball on some jet sweeps, allowing the offense to have a true horizontal run threat, a staple for Johnson's offense. Doing so allows players like Burden and Moore to focus on being vertical threats in the passing game, forcing defenses to account for speed and the amount of weapons the offense will feature on any given down.
SLIDE7 of 8
Round Seven, Pick 232: S Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
(Photo: © Joseph Cress/For the Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images, 247Sports)
As it stands, the Bears will not have either Jaquan Brisker or Kevin Byard under contract going into next season. While it's unknown what will actually happen with the safety position going into next year, the front office could choose to address the position on day three.
Xavier Nwankpa is a name to watch for Chicago. Based on the projections and how he tests, he could end up being selected earlier on day three. He's a big-bodied player who will enter the league with more than 35 starts under his belt. Size is his best trait, being 6-foot-2 but he's also rangy in coverage and flashes instincts on tape.
Nwankpa could make a lot of sense for the Bears if they move on from either Brisker or Byard. He's an ideal fit in Dennis Allen's defense and will be able to provide some physicality in the box as a run defender. Being 213 pounds, he could add some more weight to his frame to hold up against stronger players at the next level but he is a very willing tackler. As a rookie, unless he ends up starting, he may be forced to play as a gunner on special teams, a role that could fit him quite well as he acclimates to life in the NFL.
SLIDE8 of 8
Round Seven, Pick 252: LB Jaden Keller, Virginia Tech
(Photo: © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
Linebacker isn't going to be the biggest need for the Bears going into next year but at this point in the draft, Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson will likely be selecting the best player available on their respective draft board. That's where Jaden Keller enters the picture for Chicago.
Keller has become a household name for the Hokies defense over the last few years. After being Virginia Tech's leading tackler in 2024, he's continued to have a strong 2025 campaign, taking the next step as one of the ACC's better linebackers. His instincts and physicality show up on tape each week as a player who is always around the football.
His fit in the Bears defense will be as the type of player who can come in on third downs if needed but his physical playing style is something that will really appeal to Dennis Allen, who will likely make a push to overhaul the linebacker room with players that are fits for his defense.
Barring a significant rise in his draft stock, it's likely that Keller finishes the season as a projected day three draft pick but he does possess some traits that could end up being appealing as a developmental prospect that the front office is willing to take a chance on.