6 safety options for the Chicago Bears in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears are finalizing their plans ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, where they'll be looking to shore up the roster. One key need is safety following the departures of starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker this offseason. The safety position group might be the most fun to evaluate.

It’s an extremely deep class, and for the Bears, who are in need of another future starter alongside newly acquired Coby Bryant, it's a great opportunity to land an impact starter for years to come. There are first-round options Chicago should be interested in, but again, it all depends on how the draft plays out. There are possibilities where the top three safeties in the draft are taken before No.

25 or one or two are available. Caleb Downs is the top safety in the class and shouldn’t drop out of the Top 10. Dillon Thieneman is the No.

2 in the class, and probably the one several teams want who are outside the Top 10. Chicago is looking for speed in the secondary, but also someone who is versatile, can cover downfield, and play at the line of scrimmage. There are plenty of options in rounds two, three, and four —  it’s just who fits in Dennis Allen’s system.