The last realistic free agent solution for the Bears' pass rush signed in Baltimore three days ago.
Trey Hendrickson — the four-time Pro Bowler who racked up 39 sacks over his final 41 regular-season games in Cincinnati — agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract with the Ravens on March 11, hours after Baltimore's blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby collapsed over a failed physical. Before Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips went to Carolina for $120 million. Odafe Oweh went to Washington for $100 million. Boye Mafe went to Cincinnati. The Bears weren't on the sidelines for all of this — they were reportedly involved in Crosby trade discussions, and Ryan Poles acknowledged at last year's trade deadline that he called "on all of the guys you would imagine." But for whatever reason, a deal never materialized. The premium edge market moved on, and Chicago still doesn't have its answer.
Which leaves the draft. And for a team that finished tied for 22nd in the NFL with 35 sacks last season and still doesn't have a legitimate three-down complement to Montez Sweat, that's not a consolation prize. It might be the better outcome.
The 2026 edge rusher class is widely considered the deepest position group in the entire draft. Multiple analysts have placed seven or more edge defenders in their top 35 prospects. Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network's lead draft analyst, said the Bears are in a "good spot" at No. 25 to address the position without trading up. The depth extends well into Day 2 and beyond — meaning the Bears, who hold four picks in the first three rounds, have multiple shots to land a pass rusher who can make an immediate impact.
This is the first installment of a new series at Lakefront Sports: the Bears 2026 Draft Prospect Preview. Over the next several weeks, we'll break down the players Chicago could be targeting at each of their biggest positions of need. We're starting with edge rushers — because the class is loaded, because the need is urgent, and because there's a strong chance the Bears address it with their first-round pick. The most likely scenario has Chicago selecting an edge rusher at No. 25 overall. But if the board falls differently — if a defensive tackle or offensive lineman the Bears love is sitting there — they have the draft capital to wait and address the position later. So while the first round is the focus, we'll also profile the players who could be available at each of the Bears' subsequent picks, giving you the full picture of how this could play out.
About This Series
The Bears enter the 2026 NFL Draft with seven picks, including four in the first three rounds. The positions they're expected to target — based on roster construction, free agency decisions, and pre-draft scouting activity — are well established. Each was covered in our recent Offseason Needs series, and each remains a pressing need heading into Pittsburgh.
In this new series, we'll shift from what the Bears need to who they might pick. For each position, we'll profile realistic prospects at every pick the Bears hold — from first-round targets to Day 3 fliers — with a focus on college production, measurables, scheme fit, and where each player is likely to come off the board. Here's what's ahead:
Part 1: Edge Rushers (today) — A loaded class with answers at every pick.
Part 2: Offensive Tackles — Protecting Caleb Williams' blindside and beyond.
Part 3: Centers — Finding Drew Dalman's long-term replacement.
Part 4: Safety & Defensive Backs — Kevin Byard is gone. The back end needs youth.
The Bears' Draft Capital
Chicago holds the following picks in the 2026 draft: No. 25 overall (Round 1), No. 57 (Round 2), No. 60 (Round 2, from Buffalo in the DJ Moore trade), No. 89 (Round 3), No. 129 (Round 4, from the Rams), No. 239 (Round 7, from Philadelphia via Cleveland), and No. 241 (Round 7).
That second-round pick from Buffalo changes the calculus significantly. Having two picks in the top 60 — combined with a late first-rounder and a third — gives Ryan Poles the flexibility to address edge rusher at 25 and still hit another position of need on Day 2. Or, if a defensive tackle or offensive lineman the Bears love falls to 25, they can take him and target an edge rusher at 57 or 60 without feeling like they reached. The extra pick is genuine strategic capital, and it opens up scenarios that weren't available before the Moore trade.
The Pass Rush Problem, in Brief
We covered this extensively in Part 3 of the Offseason Needs series and again in the post-free-agency report card, but the short version: Montez Sweat posted 10.0 sacks and is a legitimate top-20 edge rusher — but he needs a running mate. Dayo Odeyingbo's three-year, $48 million contract produced one sack in eight games before a torn Achilles ended his season. Austin Booker flashed with 4.5 sacks in 10 games after returning from injury in his second NFL season, but banking on him as a full-time starter is a gamble on durability and development. Free agency added Kentavius Street, a Dennis Allen-connected rotational interior piece, but no one who addresses the edge.
The Bears ranked 22nd in pressure rate (21.1 percent) and were next-to-last in ESPN's pass rush win rate. In a division with Detroit's dominant offensive line and Green Bay's quick-release passing attack, a one-dimensional edge rush isn't sustainable. The draft is the path. This class is the opportunity.
Gone Before 25: The Top Tier
Before profiling the realistic options at No. 25, it's worth knowing who won't be there. Three edge rushers are projected to go in the top 15 and will almost certainly be off the board before the Bears pick. (Could Chicago trade up to grab one of them? It's theoretically possible — the Bears have the draft capital to construct a package. But the consensus among draft analysts is that this edge class is deep enough that the Bears won't need to mortgage picks to land a high-quality pass rusher. Staying put and letting the board come to them is the smarter play.)
David Bailey — Texas Tech — Edge — Senior
6-3, 252 lbs | 40-yard dash: 4.50 sec | Vertical: 35"
Bailey led the FBS with 14.5 sacks in 2025 and earned the highest PFF pass-rushing grade (93.0) among all edge defenders nationally. He also led the country in total pressures with 74 — a massive margin of 13 ahead of the next Power 4 player — and forced three fumbles. At the combine, he ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical, and his on-field drill work showed the quick feet, powerful burst, and controlled spin that have scouts projecting him inside the top five.
Bailey's game is built on first-step explosiveness. PFF described him as a "hungry dog off the leash" type of rusher who eats ground in a hurry and converts speed to power with ease. The concerns center on his run defense — PFF gave him low run-defense grades in 2023 and 2024, though he improved in 2025 — and a short stride length that can limit him when working around longer offensive tackles. He's a consensus top-five pick who won't sniff the late first round.
Rueben Bain Jr. — Miami (FL) — Edge — Junior
6-2, 275 lbs | Arms: 30⅞" | Did not participate in combine athletic testing
Bain is one of the most polarizing prospects in the class. His 30⅞-inch arms ranked as the fourth-shortest among edge rushers measured at the combine since 1999, and he elected not to participate in any athletic testing or on-field drills in Indianapolis. But his college tape tells a different story — 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, and a sack in the national championship game in 2025. PFF ranked him as their No. 1 edge prospect, citing a 97th-percentile pass-rush win rate, elite hand speed, and the scheme versatility to line up anywhere from a three-point defensive tackle to a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Daniel Jeremiah ranked Bain sixth overall and compared him to former Eagle Trent Cole — a player who lacked prototypical size but wrecked games with leverage, power, and an unrelenting motor. Jeremiah wrote that Bain's tape is "littered with disruption, destruction and dominance." Eric Edholm of NFL.com slotted him sixth as well, noting that the short arms never seemed to be a problem at Miami. He's a likely top-10 selection despite the measurement concerns.
Arvell Reese — Ohio State — LB/Edge — Junior
6-4, 243 lbs | 40-yard dash: 4.46 sec
Reese ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the combine — the fastest among all edge rushers and linebackers — and declared himself a full-time edge rusher in Indianapolis, not an off-ball linebacker. Ohio State used him as a chess piece in 2025, deploying him off the ball, on the edge, and occasionally as a QB spy. The athleticism is rare: NFL.com's post-combine grades gave him the highest overall mark (7.04) of any defensive player tested. Multiple evaluators have drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter for his hybrid ability to rush the passer and play off the ball.
Edholm ranked Reese first overall in his top 100, calling him an "unfinished work of art" whose height-weight-speed combination is unusual and exciting. Jeremiah slotted him fourth and noted that his speed and bend off the edge are elite, though he lacks a polished rush plan and can be late off the snap at times. The upside is enormous — Reese is the kind of player who could develop into a game-wrecker at the NFL level. He won't make it past the top five.
All three are elite prospects. None will be available at 25.
First-Round Options at Pick 25
Akheem Mesidor — Miami (FL) — Edge — Senior
6-3, 259 lbs | Did not participate in combine athletic testing
Mesidor is the name most frequently attached to the Bears at No. 25 in post-combine and post-free-agency mock drafts, and it's easy to see why. The Miami edge rusher led the Hurricanes with 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 63 tackles in a breakout 2025 season. He played every position on the defensive line during his six-year college career — including time inside over guards, where Daniel Jeremiah said he was nearly impossible to block — and shed roughly 15 pounds between 2024 and 2025, going from around 280 to his combine measurement of 259. The weight loss added burst to his first step and unlocked the kind of quick-twitch hand work that his position coach, former NFL great Jason Taylor, had been developing.
The strengths are significant. Mesidor's motor is relentless. His pass-rush repertoire is polished and diverse. He can rush from wide or slide inside on passing downs, giving a defensive coordinator like Dennis Allen multiple ways to deploy him. CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson mocked him to the Bears at 25 in his post-combine mock, framing it as a win-now move for a pass rush that's tired of being almost there.
The concerns are real, too. Mesidor will turn 25 before his rookie season begins — making him one of the oldest prospects in the class. He did not participate in any athletic testing or on-field drills at the combine. His run defense, while improved, remains a question mark — PFF noted he gets moved off his spot by offensive tackles too easily in the ground game. And at 6-3, he may be shorter than what Allen ideally wants at defensive end. Jeremiah ranked him 20th overall and compared him to 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton — a comparison that suggests an immediate contributor, not a franchise-altering presence. Eric Edholm of NFL.com slotted him 23rd, cautioning that age and injuries are legitimate concerns even though his tape is impressive.
Keldric Faulk — Auburn — Edge — Junior
6-6, 276 lbs | Did not run 40 at combine | Vertical: 35" | Broad: 117"
If the Bears want to draft to Dennis Allen's physical prototype — long, powerful, and capable of setting the edge against the run on every down — Keldric Faulk is the name to watch. The Auburn junior was the heaviest edge rusher at the combine, with the kind of frame that screams NFL defensive end. He didn't run the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis but did participate in on-field drills, where his smooth, controlled lean in the hoop drill — showcasing his pass-rushing bend at that size — drew genuine excitement from scouts.
Faulk's run defense is already NFL-caliber. PFF described him as "very stout" against the run, capable of handling double teams and effective as a short-yardage defender. His size-adjusted lateral and linear explosiveness is impressive for a man his size. He played his best football in Auburn's biggest games, a trait that matters when evaluating competitive temperament.
The problem is the sack numbers. ESPN's Matt Miller noted that Faulk registered just two sacks in 2025, down from seven the year before. His career pass-rush win rate is low, and his second and third steps as a rusher don't match the explosion of his first. He consistently loses the leverage battle when rushing from a two-point stance. Jeremiah said teams are "all over the map" about where Faulk could get picked, with some viewing him as a top-20 talent and others seeing a mid-second-rounder. Edholm ranked him 17th overall, writing that his upside has been undersold thus far. If the Bears believe Allen can unlock the pass-rush ceiling, Faulk at 25 is a defensible pick. If they need Day 1 sacks, they should look elsewhere.
Cashius Howell — Texas A&M — Edge — Senior
6-2, 253 lbs | Arms: 30¼" | 40-yard dash: 4.59 sec | 10-yard split: 1.58 sec
Cashius Howell is the most productive pure pass rusher who could realistically be available at No. 25 — and the one with the single biggest red flag attached to his name. The Texas A&M senior led the SEC with 11.5 sacks in 2025 and has accumulated 25.0 sacks and 33.0 tackles for loss over the last three seasons. His frenetic rush style, quick hands, and diverse move set — including a nasty inside counter that regularly leaves offensive tackles grabbing air — make him one of the most entertaining players to watch on tape in this entire class.
Then there's the arm measurement: 30¼ inches. The shortest of any edge rusher measured at the combine since 1999.
At 6-2, 253 pounds, Howell is undersized by NFL defensive end standards. The arm length compounds that concern — shorter arms mean a shorter reach, which means less ability to control blockers at the point of attack. He also has a false step out of his two-point stance, launching off his back foot rather than firing forward. His combine testing was mixed: a solid 4.59-second 40 with a quick 1.58-second 10-yard split, but below-expectation vertical and broad jumps.
The fit question with the Bears is direct. Dennis Allen has historically preferred longer, more prototypical defensive ends. At 6-2 with 30¼-inch arms, Howell is the opposite of that prototype. The Chicago Sun-Times noted that Howell likely doesn't fit Allen's scheme preferences. Howell addressed the criticism at the combine: "Those are just the cards that I've been dealt. I'm going to do everything in my power to perfect my technique and perfect my craft in whatever way possible." His production is undeniable. Whether it's enough to overcome the measurables in Allen's defense is the central question. Edholm ranked him 25th overall — right at the Bears' pick — and acknowledged the short arms can't be dismissed, but noted Howell's tenacious rush style was effective and could make him an instant contributor in a rotation.
The Dennis Allen Factor
Every prospect evaluation for the Bears runs through one filter: what does Dennis Allen want? Allen's defensive history — from his time as head coach in Oakland to his tenure as coordinator in New Orleans — reveals a consistent preference for longer, more traditionally sized defensive ends. He values length at the point of attack, the ability to set the edge in the run game, and pass rushers who can play all three downs rather than specialists who come off the field on early downs.
That preference creates a natural tension with this particular draft class, where several of the most productive pass rushers — Howell, Thomas, and Bain — are shorter-armed or undersized. It also explains why Faulk, despite his sack-production concerns, might appeal to a front office building for Allen's scheme. And it's worth noting that the Bears sent Ryan Poles, assistant GM Jeff King, and director of player personnel Trey Koziol to Oklahoma's pro day on March 12 — where the headliner was 6-2, 241-pound edge rusher R Mason Thomas. Clemson's pro day, featuring first-round candidates T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, was happening at the same time. Poles chose Oklahoma. If the GM is willing to look past Allen's prototype when the production is good enough, that tells you something about how this board might be constructed.
Day 2 Options at Picks 57 and 60
The depth of the 2026 edge class means legitimate starting-caliber prospects will be available well beyond the first round. The Bears' two second-round picks — Nos. 57 and 60 — put them in excellent position to land a pass rusher even if they go another direction at 25.
R Mason Thomas — Oklahoma — Edge — Senior
6-2, 249 lbs | Arms: ~30" | 40-yard dash: 4.67 sec
Thomas might be the prospect the Bears are most interested in based on pre-draft behavior alone. When Poles, King, and Koziol all traveled to Oklahoma's pro day — passing on Clemson — that decision said something.
Thomas has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the SEC over the last two seasons. After dealing with ankle injuries early in his career, he broke out in 2024 with nine sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. He followed it up in 2025 with 6.5 sacks in just 10 games and a First-Team All-SEC selection. His career totals — 17 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles — tell the story of a player who wrecks things in the backfield.
What makes Thomas special is his pass-rush repertoire. Multiple scouting reports describe it as one of the deepest in the class: slap-rip, ghost move, long arm, stab-chop, snatch-swim. He's twitchy, explosive off the snap, and converts speed to power at an efficient clip. At the combine, he ran a 4.67-second 40.
The concerns mirror several other edge prospects in this class. At 6-2 with arms measured around 30 inches, Thomas is undersized and short-armed. He'll likely struggle to anchor against NFL offensive tackles in the run game. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune noted that Thomas "might be a little small for Bears defense," directly referencing Allen's preferences. Thomas did not run drills at Oklahoma's pro day, relying on his combine numbers. His average draft position sits around 39 — squarely in the range of the Bears' second-round picks. But if the Bears love his tape, he could go as early as the late first.
T.J. Parker — Clemson — Edge — Junior
6-3, 265 lbs | 40-yard dash: 4.68 sec | 10-yard split: 1.61 sec | Vertical: 34"
Parker entered the 2025 season as one of the top edge prospects in the entire class. He'd just come off an All-American campaign at Clemson with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. Then 2025 happened: five sacks, a noticeable dip in production, and a stock that fell from potential top-10 pick to a player teams are debating between the late first and mid-second round.
The tools haven't gone anywhere. Parker ran a 4.68-second 40 at the combine with a 1.61-second 10-yard split and posted a top-five athleticism score among edge rushers. His Senior Bowl performance reminded scouts of what made him dominant in 2024 — long arms that lock out blockers, a quick first step, and physicality at the point of attack. His run defense is a legitimate NFL strength.
The question, as always with regression seasons, is which version you're getting. The 2024 Parker who racked up 11 sacks and six forced fumbles is a first-round talent. The 2025 Parker who managed five sacks against ACC competition raises questions about consistency and motor. At a pick in the mid-to-late 50s, Parker represents legitimate value if the Bears believe the 2024 tape is the truer evaluation. The Bears notably chose not to attend Clemson's pro day, sending Poles and his top decision-makers to Oklahoma instead — where edge rusher R Mason Thomas was the headliner.
Derrick Moore — Michigan — Edge — Senior
6-3, 260 lbs | Did not participate in combine (injury)
Moore waited four years for his breakout at Michigan, and when it finally came in 2025, it was emphatic: 10 sacks, 30 tackles, and two forced fumbles in 12 games. The Baltimore native went from career backup to one of the most productive edge rushers in the Big Ten in a single season, showing the kind of explosive speed-to-power conversion that gets NFL scouts reaching for their phones.
At 6-3, 260 pounds, Moore has an NFL frame. He's versatile enough to defend the run and spot-drop in coverage when asked. His motor runs hot. The limited sample — one year of starting production — doesn't give teams a large enough body of work to feel confident about what they're buying. His combine was also cut short: Moore tweaked his hamstring in preparation for Indianapolis and was unable to participate in the 40-yard dash or on-field drills, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. He was still able to weigh in and bench press, but the bulk of his athletic profile will need to come from Michigan's pro day — assuming the hamstring has fully healed by then.
Moore's run defense is the other flag. Multiple scouting reports note that he doesn't consistently shed blocks and can be stiff in the lower body when asked to set the edge. But as a pass rusher with developing three-down potential, he has legitimate NFL value. SI Bears mocked Moore to the Bears in the second round in one of their pre-free-agency projections, pairing him with a first-round safety selection. A pick in the 50s or 60s would be appropriate for a player with one outstanding season on tape.
Day 3 and Beyond: Picks 89 Through 241
The edge class doesn't dry up after Day 2. The Bears have a third-round pick at 89 and a fourth-rounder at 129 that could land them a developmental pass rusher with real upside. Here are three names to know.
Dani Dennis-Sutton — Penn State — Edge
6-6, 256 lbs | 40-yard dash: 4.63 sec | Broad: 10'11" (best among EDGE) | RAS: 9.93 (highest among EDGE)
Dennis-Sutton might be the most physically gifted edge rusher available in the third round. The Penn State product put up one of the most impressive athletic performances of the entire combine: a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, a positional-best 10-foot-11 broad jump, a 6.9-second three-cone drill, and a Relative Athletic Score of 9.93 — the highest among all edge rushers tested. At 6-6 with 33.5-inch arms, he fits the Dennis Allen prototype better than almost anyone else in this class.
His production dipped in 2025 after a stronger 2024 campaign, and he's still more potential than polish as a pass rusher. But SI Bears specifically identified Dennis-Sutton as a Day 2 target for Chicago in their post-free-agency mock, writing that he would be "a dangerous tool in Dennis Allen's defense." If the Bears address edge in the first round with a more polished rusher, Dennis-Sutton at 89 could provide a developmental complement with a massive physical ceiling.
Malachi Lawrence — UCF — Edge
40-yard dash: 4.52 sec | 10-yard split: 1.58 sec | Vertical: 40" | Broad: 10'10"
Nobody helped their draft stock at the combine more than Malachi Lawrence. The UCF edge rusher wasn't on most pre-combine scouting watchlists, but he walked out of Indianapolis with the No. 1 overall athleticism score among edge rushers: a 4.52-second 40, a 40-inch vertical, a 10-foot-10 broad jump, and a 1.58-second 10-yard split. He was also productive in college, accumulating 19.5 sacks over three seasons with the Knights, and was named an East-West Shrine Bowl standout.
Lawrence is violent, sudden, and relentless as a rusher. He showed smooth feet, strong change-of-direction ability, and power in his hands during on-field drills. His stock is rising quickly — which means he may not last until the third round. But if he's available at 89 or even 129, he'd represent outstanding value for a team that needs pass-rush depth throughout its defensive line rotation.
Jaishawn Barham — Michigan — Edge/LB
NFL.com Combine Grade: 6.33 | Projected: Late Day 2 to early Day 3
Barham offers something different from the other edge prospects on this list: versatility as a true hybrid. The Michigan product is built like an NFL linebacker — strong, long-armed, explosive — but showed legitimate ability as a blitzer and stand-up rusher. He can rush from multiple alignments, drop into coverage, and defend the run, giving a coordinator like Allen the kind of chess piece that makes offensive coordinators guess pre-snap.
His coverage production is limited, and he may never be a double-digit sack producer. But as a rotational edge defender who can contribute on all three downs and factor into creative blitz packages, Barham is exactly the kind of player who outperforms his draft slot. If he's available in the third or fourth round, the Bears should be interested.
The Bottom Line
The Bears' pass-rush problem has been this offseason's through-line since February. Montez Sweat is a legitimate top-20 edge rusher. Austin Booker flashed in a small sample in his second season. But the unit as a whole finished 22nd in sacks, 22nd in pressure rate, and next-to-last in ESPN's pass rush win rate. Free agency didn't fix it. Maxx Crosby remains in Las Vegas — for now, at least. Trey Hendrickson is in Baltimore.
The draft is the path. And the 2026 edge rusher class — with first-round options like Mesidor, Faulk, and Howell; Day 2 targets like Thomas, Parker, and Moore; and Day 3 developmental plays like Dennis-Sutton, Lawrence, and Barham — has the depth to give Chicago a legitimate answer at multiple price points.
The question isn't whether the Bears will draft an edge rusher. It's which one, and when. Poles' decision to attend Oklahoma's pro day rather than Clemson's hints at one direction. Allen's size preferences hint at another. The board will fall how it falls. But with four picks in the first three rounds and a class this deep, the Bears will find their guy.
Next up in the Bears 2026 Draft Prospect Preview: the offensive tackle class, where Caleb Williams' blindside protection hangs in the balance.