The 2026 league year is official for the NFL after two days of the legal tampering period is in the books. Deals can now be official and we’ve already had some fireworks in free agency, headlined by the Baltimore Ravens backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade.
For the Chicago Bears, they have made a few signings already but still have some big needs to fill. Among them is at pass rusher. Chicago hasn’t done much of anything in terms of adding pass rush help and it remains an issue. While there are a few guys still out there to sign, none really move the needle in terms of a solution.
So how about the draft?
That appears to be the most realistic solution for the Bears in terms of finding another pass rusher. The good news is that this is considered a good class for the edge rusher position.
Chicago Bears projected to land defensive tackle
With the free agency period officially underway now, we have a good idea of some team needs. And it’s a good time to look at some updated mock drafts for the first round.
That’s exactly what the USA TODAY did with their latest mock as Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz has the Bears addressing a big need with them selecting Clemson’s Peter Woods. Now, he’s not an edge rusher but he has the chance to be a really good defensive tackle that can help generate pressure up front.
Here is what he wrote on the selection:
They didn’t land Crosby as some speculated they might, but the Bears still have a chance to ramp up the disruptiveness of their front four. Woods’ high-end flashes separate him from all other interior defenders other than Banks, though his inconsistency could cost him a spot on Day 1.
Woods is an intriguing prospect out of Clemson who has his stock anywhere from top 15 to back end of the first round. He can play in different schemes and his 2024 tape really stands out in terms of him being disruptive.
If an edge rusher the Bears like isn’t there, they very well could pivot to a tackle. And it feels like Woods fits the mold for what Chicago wants to do.
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