Bears Pass on Edge Target, Trade Down in NFL.com Mock Draft

Chicago gains extra draft capital by moving back, selects safety Dillon Thieneman in latest projection.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:12pm

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In Chad Reuter's latest 2026 NFL mock draft for NFL.com, the Chicago Bears trade back from the No. 30 overall pick, gaining additional draft capital, and then select safety Dillon Thieneman with their new first-round selection. The move allows the Bears to address a need in the secondary while also adding more picks to their arsenal.

Why it matters

The Bears have multiple needs to address in the upcoming draft, including pass rusher and safety. By trading down, they can still land an impact player at a position of need while also accumulating more draft capital to potentially fill other holes on the roster.

The details

In the mock draft, the Bears trade the No. 30 overall pick to the Miami Dolphins, moving back to the early second round. With the extra pick gained, Chicago then selects Dillon Thieneman, a highly regarded safety prospect. The Bears had previously signed Coby Bryant in free agency, but lost starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, creating a need at the position.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April.

The players

Dillon Thieneman

A top safety prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class, known for his athleticism and secure tackling ability.

Jeff Hafley

The new head coach of the Chicago Bears, who is looking to build his defensive system around long, strong base ends.

Coby Bryant

A defensive back signed by the Bears in free agency, as they look to rebuild their secondary.

Kevin Byard

A starting safety who left the Bears in free agency, creating a need at the position.

Jaquan Brisker

Another starting safety who departed the Bears, further depleting their depth in the secondary.

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What they’re saying

“If the Bears are willing to wait until the second or third round to bolster their depth at the position, they could gain value in the third round by swapping picks with the Dolphins and replace the fifth-round choice they sent to Buffalo along with DJ Moore in exchange for the Bills' second-rounder.”

— Chad Reuter, NFL.com Analyst

“The Bears should value Thieneman's athleticism and secure tackling in the box.”

— Chad Reuter, NFL.com Analyst

What’s next

The Bears will have several key decisions to make leading up to and during the 2026 NFL Draft, as they look to address multiple needs on their roster. How the board falls when they are on the clock at No. 25 overall will be crucial in determining their plans.

The takeaway

By trading down from the first round, the Bears can still land an impact player at a position of need while also adding more draft capital to potentially fill other holes on their roster. This strategy allows Chicago to be flexible and maximize the value of their picks in a draft with multiple areas to address.