As the month of March continues and all 32 NFL franchises look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears will have four picks in the top-100, including two in the second round, providing the front office with plenty of opportunities to add long-term building blocks on defense who fit Dennis Allen's scheme.
After adding veterans Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street in free agency, the Bears could still look to add even more talent to the defensive line. One name who could make a lot of sense for Chicago is Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gracen Halton.
Let's get into our scouting report on Halton and discuss why he's an excellent fit in the Bears defense.
Gracen Halton, Oklahoma Sooners, (6-foot-3, 293 pounds)
From his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
"An undersized 3-technique with disruptive attributes, Halton is best suited for a rotational role in a movement-based front. He plays with synced hands and feet and good lateral agility. His initial quickness makes him quite slippery but a centered block can clear him from the run lane due to his lack of mass/anchor. He's an energetic, gap-to-gap rusher who can threaten guards on their edges or play his role as an effective twister. Finding the right scheme fit will be critical for Halton in the NFL."
Film:
Strengths:
- Burst and get off from the line of scrimmage catches the eye as soon as the ball is snapped.
- Hands are always punching and fighting to shed blocks.
- Eyes are naturally drawn to the ball carrier.
- Keeps his feet moving, especially on stunts.
- Pursuit ability is relentless and shows up on tape.
- Is a disciplined and physical run defender who plays with a high level of gap integrity.
- Will find ways to create opportunities for linebackers and safeties on defense.
Weaknesses:
- Shorter arm length could limit his ability against bigger, faster, and stronger offensive linemen.
- Teams may view his lack of size as an issue.
- Will have lapses when trying to shed blocks and play with leverage.
- Could wind up being a very limited scheme player at the next level.
Does Halton fit the Bears defense?
Historically, in Allen's scheme, undersized defensive tackles have thrived and gone on to become solid players. Watching Halton on tape, the potential for what he can develop into is hard to ignore. He's a solid prospect who has a high motor and could be one of the biggest steals on day two for the team that drafts him.
The Bears will covet the physicality and speed that Halton plays with, along with his ability to generate pass rush from the interior. For context, he finished his college career with 84 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks, being one of the most consistent players on the Sooners defense.
Conclusion:
Halton isn't necessarily a boom-or-bust prospect. When he gets to the next level, he should find himself thriving as a rookie who's playing in a rotation. His real impact will start coming when he gets to his sophomore season and really puts all his tools together to become the complete package.
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