The Chicago Bears season hasn’t started the way fans envisioned when the team hired Ben Johnson and invested heavily in the offensive line by adding veterans like Drew Dalman and Joe Thuney. Instead, the Bears have stumbled out of the gate with two disappointing losses.
The Bears dropped their opener 27-24 to the Minnesota Vikings despite holding a 17-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter, and then suffered a blowout 52-21 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions.
Still, there’s reason for optimism in Chicago. The roster has a solid foundation of talent, and with a few smart moves in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears could quickly transform into a legitimate playoff contender. Here are five draft prospects who would be ideal targets for Chicago.
5 NFL Draft Targets for the Chicago Bears
S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Bears need a defensive tone-setter, and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs fits the mold perfectly. Widely considered one of the top five prospects in the 2026 class, Downs could slide on draft day due to the positional value of safeties.
The 2024 All-American has already proven himself as both a physical in-the-box run defender and a rangy playmaker in coverage. He would immediately upgrade the safety position, either taking over for Kevin Byard III or stepping in if Jaquan Brisker departs in free agency after the season.
DE: Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Back in June I mentioned how Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei would be an immediate upgrade over the questionable signing of Dayo Odeyingbo. Two weeks into this season nothing has changed. Odeyingbo has only three pressures and a career-worst 54.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, while Uiagalelei has already recorded three sacks after leading the Big Ten with 10.5 last year.
A powerful and physical defensive end, Uiagalelei would be an excellent fit in Dennis Allen’s defense and could be the ideal selection if Caleb Downs is off the board when the Bears make their first-round pick.
Matayo Uiagalelei applying pressure on third down 😤 pic.twitter.com/C7dlEWSS9G
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 6, 2025
CB: Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Along with safety, cornerback is also shaping up to be a major need for the Bears, especially with Jaylon Johnson expected to miss most of the season due to a groin injury. A possible solution could be Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, who may be available in the second round.
Terrell is a quick and fluid corner with the loose hips to stay with NFL receivers in man-to-man coverage. He also brings proven playmaking ability to the secondary, breaking up 13 passes last season, which was the most by a Clemson player in a single year since 2014.
RB: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
One of the Bears’ biggest problems on offense is their lack of a consistent running game. Outside of D’Andre Swift, no other running back on the roster has even 29 rushing yards this season. Washington’s Jonah Coleman is a physical runner who would be a strong complement to Swift.
In just two games this year, Coleman has already rushed for 288 yards, averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and broken 11 tackles. He would make a lot of sense as a third or fourth-round pick for Chicago.
OG: Kade Pieper, Iowa
The Bears invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason, but one of the additions, Joe Thuney, will be 33 by the end of the season. Looking ahead, it would make sense to add a developmental guard on the third day of the draft, and Iowa’s Kade Pieper fits that profile.
Pieper is an elite athlete, posting a 37-inch vertical jump and a 1.52-second 10-yard split, both records for an Iowa offensive lineman. With proper development, he has the potential to grow into a starting-caliber guard in the NFL.