Bears Face Unique Draft Challenge at #25 Pick

Positional value and athletic concerns cloud outlook for top safety prospect Caleb Downs

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:43am

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The Chicago Bears, picking 25th in the 2026 NFL Draft, face a unique challenge as the 2025 draft class is considered shallower in terms of elite prospects. With only 11 players circled as potential blue-chip talents, the Bears must carefully weigh the potential reward of drafting a safety like Caleb Downs against the inherent risks associated with positional value and athletic uncertainty.

Why it matters

The Bears have demonstrated a commitment to building through the draft, as evidenced by the success of rookies like Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III in 2025. However, the team must balance their desire to add impact players with the league-wide trend of prioritizing 'positional value' when making draft selections.

The details

Positions deemed most impactful – quarterbacks, offensive tackles, pass rushers, and cornerbacks – command the highest draft capital, while safeties are often viewed as less critical to overall team success. Caleb Downs is considered the best football player in the 2026 draft class, but concerns about his 'athletic ceiling' have emerged, as he did not participate in the scouting combine.

  • The Bears secured a No. 2 seed in the 2025 playoffs, demonstrating the impact of their rookie class and the effectiveness of Ben Johnson's coaching.

The players

Caleb Downs

A highly-regarded safety prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, Downs is considered the best football player in the class but faces concerns about his athletic profile.

Colston Loveland

A rookie who contributed significantly to the Bears' offense in 2025 after injuries to key players like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Luther Burden III

Another rookie who stepped up and contributed significantly to the Bears' offense in 2025 after injuries to key players.

Ben Johnson

The head coach of the Chicago Bears, who has demonstrated a commitment to building through the draft.

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What they’re saying

“I feel comfortable saying Caleb Downs is the best football player in the 2026 draft class. He won't be the first pick—you have to consider upside, positional value, all that, and there are guys with more of all that stuff. But no one in the class is a better football player.”

— Albert Breer (Twitter)

What’s next

If Downs were to fall to the 25th pick, the Bears would face a critical decision: prioritize a potentially impactful player at a 'non-premium' position, or select a player at a more valued position with a higher perceived floor.

The takeaway

This case highlights the Bears' dilemma in balancing their desire to add impact players through the draft with the league-wide trend of prioritizing 'positional value.' The team must carefully weigh the potential reward of drafting a safety like Caleb Downs against the inherent risks associated with his athletic profile and the perceived importance of the position.