Maxx Crosby.
Getty
The Chicago Bears may not miss Maxx Crosby on their roster after this mock draft sends a powerful player to town.
The Chicago Bears weren’t able to get Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders onto the roster for the 2026-27 season, but that may be a good thing, because the Bears have a bevy of other options on the plate.
The Bears need depth in the edge position, as do all NFL teams, but Crosby certainly isn’t the only answer for them. The 2026 NFL draft is happening from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and at that event, the Bears will have a plate of up-and-coming defensive ends ready to train for the future.
In a Monday, April 6 feature for SI, Justin Melo lays out his projections for the 2026 NFL draft. “Leaning on the back-half of our top 100 big board, there are various mid-round prospects in this draft who appear capable of developing into keynote contributors and future starters,” he states in the piece. “Finding the right prospect-team fits is crucial to the desired outcome.”
So, who does he see coming to the Chicago Bears? You guessed it. It’s an edge.
Chicago Bears Snag Talented Edge in 2026 NFL Draft Projection
In his draft projection, Melo has the Bears going to standout edge Trey Moore from Texas. With a player like that on the roster, the Chicago Bears likely won’t miss Crosby.
“The Chicago Bears may draft multiple pass rushers. Texas’ Trey Moore is flying slightly under the radar,” he states in the piece. “The former Longhorns standout was better at the NFL Combine than given national credit for, leaping a 38.5-inch vertical and 10-foot broad jump.”
He adds of the defensive end, “Moore is a 46-game starter who had 22 sacks in two seasons at UTSA (2022-23) before playing a rotational role at Texas.”
There’s something to be said for bringing a high-caliber edge like Moore onto the roster. Plus, while Crosby is obviously one of the best in the league, he’s not at the beginning of his career, so the chance to get an edge who is just starting out in the NFL and has potential means a lot.
Budding Edge’s NFL Profile Says He’s ‘Highly Productive’
So, what does Moore’s official NFL profile say about the player? His profile says that he’s a “highly productive, 46-game starter with flexible NFL positioning.”
On the downside, it also says that he’s “undersized and lacks NFL length as an edge defender, but he’s a skilled, instinctive rusher with a robust set of approaches. He won’t burn the edges with pure speed but he compensates for that with a deep bag of moves.”
While “questions persist about his pursuit speed and ability to cover in the NFL,” his profile shows that he has potential and just needs a good coaching staff behind him. “Some teams might label him a ‘tweener,’ but I see a versatile prospect whose competitiveness and feel for the game should allow him to translate no matter the position he plays,” his profile reads.
If anyone can shape Moore into an elite edge, it’s Ben Johnson and the Bears’ coaching staff. So, don’t be surprise if you see Moore become a Bear soon.