Even though the NFL season ended roughly three months ago, the NFL news hasn’t ceased, with most of the news concerning who teams are going to pick with the NFL draft. However, local Bears fans aren’t looking for the main headline names, such as Fernando Mendoza, should be looking for the names of Kendrick Faulk, Peter Woods, Kayden McDonald, T.J. Parker, and Caleb Banks, or even Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. But, who is on the Bears’ radar?
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will hopefully place an emphasis on draft targets being “young, fast, and strong” after the pitiful performance throughout the 2025 season resulted in the inability to get pressure on the quarterback. The bright spot for the Bears defense was an NFL leading 33 forced turnovers which allowed the offense to stay out on the field and produce points. The cause for these turnovers was due to the surprisingly good play from a Bears secondary that led the league in interceptions. First year defensive backs coach Al Harris was a pivotal reason for the turnaround in the defensive backfield, the development of Nashon Wright, and consistent play from safety Kevin Byard III. Even more impressive is the numbers that were put up without steady corners Jalen Johnson and Kyler Gordon, who were injured for much of the season.
Now, with the Bears having the 25th pick in the draft, they are most certainly going to target the defensive line for the much-needed piece. Fans hope for a reinvention of the defensive line that currently sits at the bottom half of the NFL in total sacks (35) and pressures which was around 21.1%.
This is reinforced with die hard Bears fan and GNHS teacher Mr. Fries, who said, “The D line was pitiful. There are no problems for opponents to deal with on that line.”
According to North students, the fan favorite currently is Zion Young out of the University of Missouri. “I think his tackle for loss ability is one of the best in the draft,” senior Aidan Munday said. Young had the second most tackles for loss only behind David Bailey who is a bonafide top 10 pick and being ahead of Rueben Bain Jr. in tackles for loss who was widely considered to be a top 3 defender in college football last year. Even Nathan Maze is in on the Zion Young hype with “his explosiveness and ability to move people off the line being very impressive,” with his 6-foot-6 frame holding 262 pounds, his explosiveness is very impressive and he would definitely be a force on the Bears defensive line. However, he has a limited pass rush move arsenal making his pass rush ability lackluster possibly taking him off the board for the Bears despite his ability to line up almost anywhere on the line and his ability to win at those spots.
Even though we don’t have a say in who will be drafted, the Bears will take who the coaching staff believes in and the fans will most likely embrace them and welcome them to the city and the team with open arms.
