How much will the Bears’ top draft picks contribute as rookies in 2026?
CHICAGO — After months of scouting and preparation, the Chicago Bears drafted seven players over the weekend. It was the culmination of a monthslong process for general manager Ryan Poles and his staff. Notably, the Bears selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the No.
25 pick during the first round Thursday. Thieneman should start for coach Ben Johnson’s defense right away. But the rest of their draft picks will have a harder path toward playing time on a team that reached the divisional round of the playoffs last season.
Several of the new additions appear to be more long-term plays than big-time contributors as rookies. That’s not to say they won’t have an impact in 2026, but they’ll have to prove themselves in training camp first. Here’s a look at the team’s first five draft choices and how they might contribute this season: Thieneman, safety (first round, No.
25) This is the easy one. Thieneman slots in as a starting safety right away and will pair up with newly signed veteran safety Coby Bryant on the back end of the defense. Thieneman has the versatility to play various roles.
If the Bears need him to play center field, he can do that at a high level. If they need him to provide run support near the line of scrimmage, he has the physicality to do so. He can even play in the nickel, which typically will belong to Kyler Gordon.
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