The Chicago Bears are coming off a brutal loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a game in which the defense was exposed. They gave up 42 points, allowed 5.9 yards per rush, and generated just one sack. Those issues are not new. On the season, Chicago is allowing 24.8 points per game and forcing only 3.1 punts per contest, one of the worst marks in the NFL.
Defensive tackle is a major need for Chicago
Defensive tackle has been a major problem, largely due to the underwhelming play of free-agent addition Grady Jarrett. Jarrett has just one sack this season and owns a 47.4 PFF run-defense grade. He will be 33 next year, and there is little reason to expect a late-career surge.
While it is unlikely the Bears spend a first- or second-round pick on a defensive tackle, Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker profiles as a strong Day 3 value option. Tucker has been a key piece of a dominant Hoosiers defense that ranks second nationally in points allowed at 10.8 per game and fourth in total yards allowed at just 257 per game.
Individually, Tucker has been one of the most productive interior defensive linemen in college football. He has racked up 11.5 sacks this season, an elite number for a defensive tackle, and has consistently impacted the pocket. His play against both the pass and the run earned him First Team All-Big Ten honors.
What Tyrique Tucker brings to the Bears
From a scouting perspective, Tucker’s pass-rush traits stand out immediately. He has an excellent first step and routinely beats blockers off the snap. He works well on stunts, understands spacing, and shows impressive awareness for an interior defender. His hand usage is advanced, featuring multiple pass-rush moves that have given even top offensive guards problems.
There are concerns that could push Tucker into the fifth- or sixth-round range of the 2026 NFL Draft. He measures just 6-foot, 302 pounds, and lacks ideal length. While he uses his height to generate leverage as a pass rusher, that lack of size can show up against the run. If he does not win quickly off the ball, he can be moved by stronger linemen.
Even with those limitations, Tucker’s strengths outweigh the concerns. At worst, he projects as a rotational interior pass rusher, which still fills a major need for Chicago. His skill set closely mirrors what the Bears look for in a 3-technique defensive tackle, and his ability to generate interior pressure would immediately upgrade a defense that has struggled to affect the quarterback. As a mid-round pick, Tyrique Tucker makes a lot of sense for the Bears.