Initial grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 rookie draft class

The Chicago Bears welcomed seven new rookies to the roster during the 2026 NFL Draft, which included first-round safety Dillon Thieneman, who was considered a steal at 25th overall. Chicago also added some new offensive pieces for Ben Johnson with center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas, while adding some new defensive players in cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg. While it's not the flashiest class, it's one assembled by Johnson and GM Ryan Poles that one analyst believes will be the thing to get the Bears to the Super Bowl .

Over the past few days, our Bears Wire staff has been sharing their thoughts about the 2026 rookie class. We're wrapping things up with our initial grades for Chicago's 2026 class before they even step on the field. Alyssa Barbieri: B The Bears went into the draft looking for specific players: Speed, athleticism and scheme fit, and it's hard to deny that's what they were able to accomplish with this seven-player class.

Dillon Thieneman was an absolute steal in the first round, and Ben Johnson was looking to the future with the Logan Jones selection. Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas were surprising picks, of course, but it's hard to doubt Johnson when he's adding players to fit what he's trying to accomplish on offense. Day 3 could wind up being the thing that impacts this draft class the most.

They added some potential steals in Malik Muhammad, Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan van den Berg. Overall, I'm looking at how the Bears approached the draft and how they stayed true to their intentions, which was to select the best available and not reach just because of positional need. But positional need is also a key factor when you consider the weakest point of the roster looks nearly identical, at least with the starters, to last season.